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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!mario
From: mario@clyde.UUCP (Michael Mario)
Newsgroups: net.astro
Subject: Re: A very bright star recently
Message-ID: <813@clyde.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 28-Feb-85 08:58:04 EST
Article-I.D.: clyde.813
Posted: Thu Feb 28 08:58:04 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 1-Mar-85 20:05:10 EST
References: <363@haddock.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany NJ
Lines: 29


> There has lately been an especially bright star or planet in the
> west-by-southwestern sky.  It is far brighter than any other celestial
> body I have seen in the past few weeks, with the exception of the
> Sun and the Moon, of course.
> 				Jim Campbell

According to Sky and Telescope this probably is Venus which is very
close to its' greatest brilliance.  On Feb 26 it was at its
brightest with a magnitude of -4.6.  Venus sets fairly early in the 
evening but before it does is the most prominent object in the sky
(except the moon of course).  I have not had a chance to look at it
with my little telescope recently, but it should be very interesting
to anyone with binoculars or a small telescope.
	Also of interest is Mars which is very close to Venus, about
5 degrees to the left (south), Mars is easily distinguished because
of its distinctive color.

	While I'm at it, is there anyone in the Northern NJ area
interested in observing?  I would like to begin some serious
skygazing.

				mike mario
				AT & T Bell Labs
				Rm 1A-115
				Whippany Rd.
				Whippany, NJ 07981
				386-4699
				clyde!mario