Strange light in the sky

[Colin]

Thing to remember is that it's been coming every night for the last 5 weeks so it's not a 1 off sighting.

The area it looks to be coming from is South Ealing and then moving over our back garden and then over Norhfields Avenue London w5 in the direction of Northfields station. It's moving so slowly you can't see it moving by looking at it. It takes about around 20-30 mins to really notice it's changed position.

The ISS apparently orbits the Earth in 1-2 hours so it moves much much faster.

I live in South Ealing, hadn't noticed anything but you've got me wanting to have a look tonight!

[EJG1980]

Just a thought, but what you have drawn looks a little like the Pleiades star cluster. Its in the night sky at the moment.

Don't think that's likely, it's not really that bright to the naked eye, especially in light polluted areas.

I still reckon a low lying star like Sirius is the best best. Super bright, low in the sky, and it sounds like it's being seen at roughly the right time of night. Possibly Venus depending on how high in the sky it actually is.

Really wish we at least knew the compass direction Shoju is facing when he's looking at it

[Shoju]

I live in South Ealing, hadn't noticed anything but you've got me wanting to have a look tonight!

You need a clear sky it's too cloudy at the moment. I'm not sure whereabouts in South Ealing or if it actually comes from that direction it just seems to. Niagara Avenue just off Northfields Avenue on a clear night is a good place to spot it at around 11-11:30pm. If it is coming from South Ealing it'd be passing that way much earlier considering it's slow movemnt speed.

[EJG1980]

I know this is a long shot as you're unlikely to be looking at this thread right now, but can you see the light at the moment (8:40PM)? And if you look below it in almost a straight line, do you see the Moon? If yes, you're looking at Venus. If no, we can rule Venus out

[Shoju]

I know this is a long shot as you're unlikely to be looking at this thread right now, but can you see the light at the moment (8:40PM)? And if you look below it in almost a straight line, do you see the Moon? If yes, you're looking at Venus. If no, we can rule Venus out

Yes I have seen it just now above the moon and my nephew captured some footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncQaTA353Kw&feature=youtu.be

Would Venus also move in the way I've described and be visible along the same sort of path for the last 6 weeks?

[prinnysquad]

It looks like swamp gas to me.

[Kit]

That or a weather balloon.

[EJG1980]

Yes I have seen it just now above the moon and my nephew captured some footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncQaTA353Kw&feature=youtu.be

Would Venus also move in the way I've described and be visible along the same sort of path for the last 6 weeks?

Yes, 100%, that is Venus. Damn, I was hoping aliens!

And yes, it would appear to move very very slowly across the sky due to the rotation of the earth. You won't see it with the naked eye but if you zoom in with a telescope or binoculars, you decrease the field of view so can start to see the movement. If you looked at Venus through one of my telescopes it would move out of the field of view in a few seconds.

[Shoju]

yes very disappointing and odd that it's been so clearly visible for 6 weeks. If it's still coming back every night in another month's time could it possibly be not Venus? How long is Venus supposed to be visible for in this part of the world at this time of the year?

Another vid showing it's moved

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snjvaYpnAJI

[EJG1980]

It should be out of sight by the end of May, probably a few days before that depending on how tall the buildings around you are. It's been gradually getting higher in the sky through the year so far and thus easier and easier to notice. It should be brightest at the beginning of May.

It is definitely Venus though, that was its exact position today, above and very slightly to the right of the Moon.

Edit: it should be in this position tomorrow night -

[Shoju]

Oh well at least thats cleared that up, having said that though looking at that 2nd vid again I notice a strange collection of red lights appearing out of nowhere towards the end of it.........

[EJG1980]

Red lights? Alien space brothel!