Yes, Jupiter is currently the brightest thing in the night sky, not counting the moon.
There are generally a couple of planets visible every night of the year. Which planets will be visible and when depends on where each of the planets (and the Earth itself) are in their orbits. Here on August 28, 2009, for example, Jupiter rises about sunset and is brightly visible all night. Venus and Mars rise before dawn. Saturn and Mercury are not visible this month, because they are too close to the Sun to be seen.
Around midnight
The penumbral lunar eclipse on August 6, 2009 is too minor to be visible anywhere, and would not be visible in Australia in any case. The full Moon will be partially dimmed by about 5%. You won't notice a thing.
In the early spring, Venus appears to keep close company with the Moon. The planet currently seen near the moon is Jupiter. Venus usually disappears from our sights (because it's daylight) around the beginning of summer, of course depending where you are in the world. Venus, on my clock rises around 5am and sets right before 5pm...so there is a very small chance to view Venus at this time of year (September).
No. You can see Jupiter in the evenings in September, but Venus isn't visible. Venus can be seen close to sunrise - around 3am in the UK. Download Stellarium a free open source software package for all your astronomical needs. [See related link]
The peak is on the 12th of August, but you will see them on the nights for at least a week before and after that, but not as many as on the peak night.
Yes, Mars will be visible in the morning during the month of August.
On August 4, 2009, the bright star Regulus was visible next to the Moon in the evening sky. Regulus is the brightest star in the Leo constellation and can often be seen near the Moon during its monthly journey across the sky.
Perseids, associated with debris from comet Swift-Tuttle, peaking sometime on August 12 but likely visible a night before and a night after.
There are always planets visible in the night sky; but sometimes you need to get up early instead of staying up late. Here in May 2009, for example, Mars, Venus and Jupiter are all nicely visible in the pre-dawn darkness.
You did not specify the time at which you saw the object, so it is not possible to be certain; however, Jupiter is the only planet currently visible (as of August 6, 2009) in the evening sky. Mars, Venus and Saturn are all visible in the early morning hours.
Different planet rise first at different times. Venus is always close to the sun, so it either rises just before sunrise or just after sunset. Currently (August 2009) it is rising before sunrise, but Jupiter is visible throughout the night and Mars is rising before Venus too.
The question doesn't specify at what time of night this object is observed. But we can assume that it is early evening, since most people do most of their night-sky gazing between sunset and 'normal' bed-time.In July and August 2009, the planet Jupiter is rising at just about the same time as the sun is setting, from a point on the horizon that's a little south of due east.
There are generally a couple of planets visible every night of the year. Which planets will be visible and when depends on where each of the planets (and the Earth itself) are in their orbits. Here on August 28, 2009, for example, Jupiter rises about sunset and is brightly visible all night. Venus and Mars rise before dawn. Saturn and Mercury are not visible this month, because they are too close to the Sun to be seen.
Night - 2009 Sharks was released on: USA: 7 August 2009
Night - 2009 Buffalo was released on: USA: 12 August 2009
Night - 2009 Elephants was released on: USA: 13 August 2009