Planet or Satellite?

[johnalex]

Every evening I can see a bright object towards the south which is quite distinct.  Not a star (doesn't twinkle), possibly a planet but not seen one before with this magnitude.  A satellite maybe?  Who knows?  Do you know? 

[gen2]

It is jupiter.  For more info look at this BBC site:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/myspace/nightsky/obse rvingnotes.shtml

[johnalex]

Thanx gen2!  Dive for cover!!

[Thunderchild]

or it could be venus. in italy we see it just after sunset then it dissapere and reaperes just before dawn i should think it is about the same with u

[johnalex]

Thank you Thunderchild  -  I am keeping an open mind.  I remember at school learning that Jupiter was 1300 times bigger than Earth.  Venus I think in somewhat smaller but very much nearer, so maybe size and distance cancel each other out, if you see what I mean!  I am just a simple Earthling . . .

[Pbrain]

Just a thought but could it be the space station? I heard that it has a very large solar array and can be seen very clearly by the naked eye.

[johnalex]

Thanx Pbrain for your suggestion  -  I hadn't thought of that possibility.  I nearly reached for my binocs as this object looked 'closer' than your normal celestial body like a bright 5p coin in the sky.  Anyway, I chickened out in the end  -  last time I tried comet spotting with binocs I ended up quite frightened (seriously!).  What a whimp . . .