Ask RiotACT: Strange object in northern skies at sunset, 18 May

that was either the planet Mars, Jupiter or Saturn being close to earth during its orbit during the month of May and into June.

you can download an app that shows you this and the position of stars etc., if you are interested in what’s in the sky and if its friend or foe

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury

Wow, I saw this too. I thought it was a plane coming into land at first, then when it didn’t move, I wondered if it were two stars looking like they were touching. Thanks for giving a logical explanation.

I am a Rabbit™ said :

rosscoact said :

I for one commend our new NASA overlords and will serve them faithfully in the new regime!

Beat me to it, although I was going to go with the more obvious reptoid line. 😉

People still read The Register do they? I thought all the space they gave to Goddard and his ludicrous opinions was enough to convince people to find a better source.

rosscoact said :

I for one commend our new NASA overlords and will serve them faithfully in the new regime!

Beat me to it, although I was going to go with the more obvious reptoid line. 😉

Rodney via facebook provided this link – http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/nasa-prepares-for-nz-balloon-launch/news-story/8047080d0d690e6a728ad6728a70e315

I for one commend our new NASA overlords and will serve them faithfully in the new regime!

I filmed this guy on sun night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRpIA2b4yYM

Yep I saw that at 5:15pm yesterday,got a couple of photos on my phone but not as clear as those above. Couldn’t work out what it was and couldn’t see it when I had a second opportunity to look later, about 6:30.

A high altitude balloon-type object is consistent with most of these observations – turning red could be due to the sunset, and of course it would disappear once it got completely dark. It would be nice to have some more information about the proposed explanations.

Looks a lot like a Google Loon balloon.One of them passed south of Canberra on Friday last week, and looked almost exactly like this.

However, Loon balloons are usually visible on FlightRadar24, and the FR24 playback doesn’t show any balloons on the 18th.

CT16 said :

I overheard someone talking about this earlier today. Apparently it was a NASA high altitude balloon 35km above the surface.

Spoilsport! : ]