lachablis@gmail.com wrote:hello out there!...this is a comment and Question from a very very new observer in Kansas...
thank-you,firstly,for a most dazzling picture!!...and whether I 'see' images or not in that awesome pic,i am only tooo happy to be a part of its magnificence!!...
I do have a Question,however...as i look up into the clear sky,this evening [6:34pm or 1834 hours] on this November06,I see the sliver of the moon[quite bright] and to the lower left of the moon [SW or SSW[ of it,is a bright planet? which,through my binoculars,looks somewhat like a cross?!...my imagination or is that real??...and if it is a lovely planet,could someone inform me as to which it is??..i am truly a novice at this...i would appreciate some direction as to books or charts or anything in material/physical form that i can arrange on my walls to follow the 'sky'...
thanks for your indulgence...
kansas...
Hi Kansas. As others said, that bright planet is Venus. As to your request for resources:
Books:
The Monthly Sky Guide, text by Ian Ridpath, illustrated by Wil Tirion. Ninth edition, 2013, Cambridge University Press. This slender, inexpensive, lavishly illustrated volume is the best possible introduction for the beginning skywatcher. Ian Ridpath weaves together vivid descriptions of what you see in the sky with ancient mythology, the history of astronomy, and current scientific understanding. Wil Tirion’s charts and illustrations are perfectly integrated with the text. Brief introductory chapters cover the basics of astronomy, how to get oriented and find your way around in the sky, and how to observe the planets and the moon, with detailed maps of the moon. Each monthly chapter includes a comprehensive all-sky map, a brief orientation to that month’s bright stars and prominent constellations, and in-depth discussion and atlas-quality charts of one or two important constellations.
The Astronomical Calendar by Guy Ottewell and other contributors (published annually), and
The Astronomical Companion by Guy Ottewell (second edition, 2010). Universal Workshop. Much more than a calendar, these two oversized folios will give you a clear understanding of how everything in the universe fits together, and how everything moves through the sky and through space and time. Ottewell is a brilliant polymath, and his erudite, drily whimsical discussions of everything from ancient calendars to the relationship between astronomy and astrology are a joy to read.
The Astronomical Companion features Ottewell’s trademark spherical illustrations of successively larger volumes of space, from the orbits of the Earth and Moon, the solar system, the nearest stars, the brightest stars, our corner of the Milky Way, the whole galaxy, nearby galaxies, galaxy clusters, all the way out to quasars and the very edge of the known universe. Each two-page monthly spread in
The Astronomical Calendar includes an all-sky map, a diagram of the movements of the planets, a thorough listing of daily astronomical events, and helpful observing tips. Additional sections are devoted to this year’s movements of the Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids, comets, and meteor showers, all clearly illustrated.
Magazines
Sky & Telescope
Astronomy
These two monthly magazines both publish news, feature stories about recent discoveries and the history of astronomy, sky maps, observing guides, astrophotography how-to’s, and equipment reviews. Both magazines are well written and nicely illustrated.
Sky & Telescope provides more timely information and advice for the active observer, inspiring first-person reports from amateurs doing cutting-edge astronomy, and a monthly column for amateur telescope makers. I read them both, but if you only have time or money for one, go with
Sky & Telescope.
Websites
www.skyandtelescope.com The website of
Sky & Telescope magazine offers breaking news, special interest blogs, and a wealth of interactive observing tools, including a printable all-sky chart that can be customized for any date, time, and location. Download and print out “Getting Started in Astronomy,” a 10-page guidebook with bimonthly sky maps and a moon map. If you only have ten minutes a week to keep up with the sky, subscribe to the Weekly Bulletin email and read “This Week’s Sky at a Glance.”
Skymaps.com Download and print out an easy-to-use monthly sky map and observing guide.
Mobile Applications
SkySafari 3 Plus by Southern Stars. This highly respected application is well-organized, accurate, and intuitively easy to use. As your knowledge and interest grow, SkySafari will provide deeper and deeper levels of detail and information.
Pocket Universe by Craic Design. Inexpensive, attractive, easy to use, with a sense of humor. Great for beginners.
Moon Atlas by Horsham Online Ltd. A 3-dimensional globe that identifies and describes all the features on the surface of the Moon. You can spin it around to view the Moon from other angles, and to see the mysterious far side of the Moon.
Organizations
Your local astronomy club is the best place to meet other amateurs, attend classes and skywatching events, and look through different telescopes.
The Night Sky Network (nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov) has a searchable database of clubs throughout the United States.
