When I consider your heavens - 17 October 2010 |
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The sharp-eyed among you will have been wondering about the identity of that particularly bright star visible near the moon on the last couple of (unusually clear) evenings.
In fact, it’s not a star. It’s Jupiter, the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet in the solar system. You can tell it’s a planet because not only because it is unusually bright (a characteristic of some planets, though not all), but also because unlike stars it doesn’t twinkle but instead shines with a steady light.
It’ll be visible for the next few evenings as well, particularly if the weather stays clear. And if you have a decent telescope you may even be able to see the famous red spot, which is due to pass across the centre of the side that faces the earth sometime on Wednesday evening.
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog