[Kate]

I was just down the south coast of Sydney enjoying the peace and quiet with a friend of mine... after 2 bottles of red sitting outside at about 1am we got to star gazing...

Questions were raised that we got in to some arguements about that I am hoping some one will humor me and be able to answer...

1. Venus and Mars are both able to be seen with the naked eye? (Remembering we are in the middle of the bush with no lights around) I said yes, she disagreed....

2. Are there any stars within our solar system? Another way to ask the question is... Are the planets M,V,E,M,J,S,U,N,P, the closest THINGS to earth or are there stars in the mix as well.? Neither of us had any clue to this...

3. We also noticed a black mass right near the southern cross, what is this?

That is all I can remember for now, it turned out to be a pretty long night/morning!!

Thanks muchly for a response in advance!
Kate