Star gazing tonight... well, I'm working, but I went and peeked out the back door. Venus is bright and prominent. Mercury is just a bit under it. But they are dropping towards the horizon. And Mars is up to the right. Cool to see them all together like that. And then at 19:32 went and looked up and saw an Iridium satellite pass by. Called an Iridium Flare. As it was passing it looks like someone took a powerful spotlight and shines it down at you for a couple of seconds. Very cool to watch. At midnight, I hope it's still clear. Orion will be almost straight up and not too far off from it the Lovejoy Comet may be visible... while I'm smoking a cigar. [nerdy icon]

yeah, um, sorry about that.

Satellites are fun to see. I get a thrill when that happens.

Being near two large airports, LGB and LAX, and a couple of freeways, there are plenty of planes and helicopters visible in the sky from my patio.

When we go camping or I go to the race track and am plenty far outside of any city, I'm always amazed at how many stars are visible on a clear night. Could only imagine what your view must be.