Expert: Ed - 2/22/2009

Question
Hi,

I'm from the UK, for the last couple of weeks, not every day, from about 18:00, I've seen a really bright light in the sky. It looks to big to be a star and there were no others, just 1. So I was thinking maybe a planet like Venus, not a UFO lol.

So if this 1 bright light was Venus, would it be visible some days and would it always be in the same place, or would it have moved a little over the weeks?
Also would I be able to see the light from it reflect on my window, it's not like a beam of light, just a reflection. That's what is confusing me a bit.

Thanks

Answer
Kira,

It's probably Venus.  Venus is sometimes called the Evening Star, and it appears in the way that you describe.  It would move a little way across the sky every day... you could definitely notice the difference over a few weeks.

Look at this website.  Set it for whatever city in the UK is closest to you, and then set the time to match your observing time.

http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/

I'm not sure how to visualize the light reflecting on your window.  If I understand what you're saying, then I would say yes, it's possible that Venus is bright enough to make a reflection in a window.  Venus is brighter than the brightest star (Sirius, which is just below and to the left of Orion).

I hope this helps.  Keep Looking Up!
-Ed