If you look west into the sky just after sunset, Venus is as bright as you like at the moment. If you have a pair of binoculars and you look towards it you’ll notice the pinprick of red light that is Mars very close to it. Look east and the brightest object in the Sky is Jupiter, the best views we’ll have of it for eight years or so as it is in direct opposition to the sun.
That’s all, no charge for this service.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=geVR-YI0Tvc
Kid Dynamite says
If you have a decentish pair of binoculars you can also pick out some of Jupiter’s larger moons, which is literally and figuratively cosmic. Luckily for me, I live in an area with some very poor street lighting, so clear nights are great for stargazing.
Black Celebration says
On a camping trip last year, to a remote place miles away from anywhere – someone took along a proper telescope that he had rented from Auckland Observatory for something like $25. He pointed it at Saturn and the rings were clearly visible. It was amazing to see.
But I experienced the most odd feeling – I felt that I shouldn’t be looking at it. It felt like an invasion of privacy. The next night he set it up again and everyone had another look. I still felt a bit uneasy about it. I didn’t say anything (and I hesitate to share this now). What’s going on?
VincePacket says
I reckon it’s a manifestation of the natural human fear of the insignificance of our existence when compared against the overwhelming size of the universe.
or something.