SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Right now in a clear sky there is a gorgeous scene of a very bright Venus and a litle less bright Jupiter looking close together nearly in the west. Mars can be seen in the east as a reddish bright object. There is a lovely Moon in about the SE. Some constellations are visible such as Orion (my favourite). OK, it's not Secret Leeds but I thought I would mention it in General Chat for anyone interested.

Thanks Leodian - I wouldn't have looked out if I hadn't seen your post. It's the first time I've (knowingly) seen Mars - I hadn't realised how red it looked to the naked eye so I'll know in future. My place faces SE so I can't see Venus or Jupiter and there are too many street lights to see the constallations, unfortunately.I thought how lovely the Moon looked at 4.30pm today - very large, in a bright blue sky.

Hi Tasa.It's worth a quick walk outside as Venus and Jupiter are still quite high and unmistakeable to see. They and other objects will appear to move to our right as we see them and Venus and Jupiter will also soon sink below the horizon but they should still be visible for at least another hour or more (if the sky stays clear).

Thank you - and WOW! I saw Orion (the three "belt" stars were the first I spotted) and once my eyes adjusted (with hands cupped around my face), more and more stars appeared. I must look up the other constallations so that I know what to look out for in future. I've only ever seen detail like this in the middle of the Lake District with no street lighting, so I'm thrilled to know that on a clear night I can see this from my own street - I have obviously never "lurked" in the street for long enough (I don't have a garden)! I also saw Jupiter and Venus, very bright and just about to disappear below the roofline.Thank you for pointing me towards the best entertainment I've had this evening - and it tempted me away from Coronation Street, which is saying something

everyone has been watching too much star gazing onn BBC1

Leo, I'm sorry I missed that. Looking SSW last night up over Asda there were 2 very bright stars, a large and a smaller.There's a certain time of year round here when an unusually large orangey moon is visible when I look SSE ( in a 'York Gate' erly direction). It looks too close to earth but nice.And finally, Sir Patrick Moore, he's not just an expert, folk hero and good bloke:-but a cat bloke too.    

Jogon wrote: Leo, I'm sorry I missed that. Looking SSW last night up over Asda there were 2 very bright stars, a large and a smaller.There's a certain time of year round here when an unusually large orangey moon is visible when I look SSE ( in a 'York Gate' erly direction). It looks too close to earth but nice.And finally, he's not just an expert, folk hero and good bloke but he "has the loving of cats" as well..     Just a bit of trivia. I believe he has two cats, Ptolomy and Jeannie, I don't know who he is holding but it has that, I'm not very comfortable look that cats do so well.    

Sir P. Moore's cat clearly indulges him into thinking that chicken wire is truly cat proof.I was out last night with my bins to witness a quite spectacular full cloud covering..I am hopeful for tonight 7.3.12, and if the lady at No 7 is reading (and sees me with binos in back garden), it's ok 'I'm just looking for Venus'.    

There is already a gorgeous sight high just gone passed the SW of a very bright Venus with a little less bright Jupiter to its left. They should be visible for at least three hours before they sink too low to be seen. In the east there is a virtually Full Moon with a reddish Mars to its left (if it stays clear they will be visible all night moving right as we see them).Enjoy your view Jogon, but there is a cold stiff wind.

'there is a cold stiff wind' - hope it doesn't blow them past too quicklyJust come across this relating to this topic, may interest a few -http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17324826