Help Identify Object for Novice?

Heyho,

There was one thing I saw last night but didn't know what it was - I figure it was a satellite of some sort, because of its changing colors (Red + Green), and it seemed too stationary for a plane.

At midnight, 1am, It was about level with Sirius, but to the right of it, below and to the right of orion. Quite low in the sky. Very bright (as bright as Sirius), but stationary. Same colors as a plane...

Anyone know it?

Dave

Those are Santa's colours I believe.
I could be wrong though.

Peter.

That is a weird one Dave, but I don't think Peters hunch measures up to the spec of what you saw! Have you seen it since? It is very clear out there tonight.

dunno - its still there anyway - currently (20:38pm) just down and right from Rigel. Pretty much exactly where it was yesterday. Clearly visable to the naked eye, and changing color from red to green.

They haven't built an airport near you lately that you dont know about?

Could be a air traffic control tower.

Could be M79.

seds.lpl.arizona.edu/Messier/more/m079_uit.html

Just stuck my head out the window, and seeing that Orion is quite high up, I can't spot anything as bright as your description to the lower right of Orion at all. From an atlas point of view, the next bright star comparable to Rigel moving right is Zaurac in Eridanus. In my atlas it is described as a variable red giant.

Seanie.