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Astronomy/A star that changes color to red and green
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Question
A pilot friend asked me what star it would be that pilots see in the east that changes color to red and green. They see it from 10 miles up where there is a lot less atmosphere. I thought maybe Betelguise (spelling) because of the red, but that doesn't explain green. Maybe Sirius since it is so bright coming through the atmosphere. He saw it about 8:00 P.M. & says many pilots have seen it.
Hi Marc,
It's probably the brightest one, Sirius... although Betelgeuse and Rigel in Orion can do the same thing.
It's all atmospherics, either from the ground or up at 50,000 feet. Any time a star is twinkling, changing color or changing shape, the orange rising moon or the red setting sun, halos, rainbows, corona's, glories, etc... it's all atmospherics. ANY change from the normal sky that we see straight above our heads, it's all the atmosphere, and the dust/clouds/moisture... doing it. If we didn't have an atmosphere, then stars would be bright, unaltered pin-points all the way down to the horizon, just like we'd see them from the moon. But of course we wouldn't be here either, without that atmosphere. So we just have to live with the stellar twinkling, color changes, halo's, rainbows, etc.
At 8 pm local time, Sirius, even from 10 miles high, is still low on the southeastern horizon, and thus subject to that atmospheric distortion down near that horizon.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA USA
FOLLOW UP:
That's why with our telescopes, we never observe anything unless it's at least 20-30 degrees above the horizon or more, to avoid all that atmospheric distortion.
Tom
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Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
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