Google Sky

[Menno]

Hi There
Anyone out there experienced with Google Sky (Google Earth - Sky option)?

The question I have is.
Why do I see the planets in, what I believe are, incorrect positions.

My understanding is that you go to a location in Google Earth, say Sydney; then open "Sky", and you should see the heavens as they are from you location. This seems to work for me with the exception of the planets. They are there but not where I think they should be. WHY?

Any answers out there?

Regards

Menno

[mithrandir]

I tried it with Mars by putting it in the search box. It was in the right place, but not displayed at the right magnitude. By the time I'd zoomed out to see which constellation it was in, it was no longer visible.

[Menno]

Well, I believe Mars should be in Cancer.
When I set GE to Sydney, Mars appears in Vulpucela for me?
Weird.

[that_guy]

get stellarium then... great software and its free

[Omaroo]

Hmm.. you appear to be right. Although Google Earth reports Mars' correct RA and Dec values, it positions it wrongly in the sky. Peculiar.

[mithrandir]

Yeah, I went back and looked again and it appeared to be 11h out in RA but the Dec was right.

Some timezone stuffup?

Stellarium or Cartes du Ciel (aka Skycharts) both get it right.

[mikelangelo11]

The black box includes a comet named C/2007 N3 Lulin originated from the Oort cloud, and was closest to Earth 2007 (if I remember correctly), and is viewable again in February. Now, it’s going away from Earth. Google more if you wish.
The Google Sky black box – case closed. Sorry to you all little google sky scientists, no Nibiru this time (either)...