Planets | Astronomy.com

Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope?

Astronomy Staff — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:00:00 +0000

Is it possible to view Pluto from a backyard telescope? Ethan SpykerWadsworth, Ohio If I’m being honest, Pluto is difficult for an amateur astronomer to see. A standard 8-inch telescope just won’t do the trick. That’s because Pluto hasn’t been brighter than 14th magnitude since the fall of 2004. It reached perihelion (its closest approach toContinue reading "Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope?"

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Jupiter reaches opposition this weekend: How to see it

Michael E. Bakich — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:43:42 +0000

If you have a telescope, or access to one, now’s the time to point it at Jupiter. The largest planet in our solar system reaches opposition December 7. That means it’s directly opposite the Sun from our viewpoint here on Earth. It rises at sunset, sets at sunrise, and is visible all night. During theContinue reading "Jupiter reaches opposition this weekend: How to see it"

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The Moon passes Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

David J. Eicher — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 16:52:50 +0000

In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe the Moon passing by Saturn on the evening of December 7. Both objects at the time will be in the constellation Aquarius the Water-bearer. The Moon will be 43 percent illuminated, or nearly at its First Quarter phase. The Ringed Planet will lie 4 degrees toContinue reading "The Moon passes Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this month

shill — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

It may be cold this month, but now is a great time to get outside and explore Jupiter’s beauty and might. The fifth planet will not only reach opposition on Dec. 7, it will also be at perigee (closest to Earth) on Dec. 6, putting on its biggest and brightest show of the year. KnownContinue reading "Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this month"

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How to see a Saturn ring mirage

Stephen James O'Meara — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Roughly every 15 years, Earth passes through the plane of Saturn’s rings, causing them to nearly disappear from view — not to mention generating a variety of other interesting phenomena. The next such edge-on appearance will be in March 2025, though Saturn will unfortunately be too close to the Sun (only 9.5° away) for usContinue reading "How to see a Saturn ring mirage"

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The Moon meets Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

David J. Eicher — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 23:12:49 +0000

In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe the Moon as it closely passes the Ringed Planet on the evening of November 10. Our natural satellite will be just past its First Quarter phase, while Saturn will glow nicely at magnitude 0.8. If you have a telescope and point it at Saturn, you’ll seeContinue reading "The Moon meets Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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The Moon meets Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

David J. Eicher — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:44:48 +0000

In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe a close meeting of the Moon and the ringed planet, Saturn. This celestial meet-up will take place on the evening of Oct. 14. You won’t need binoculars or a telescope to view it, although binoculars may give a more pleasing view. Head out an hour afterContinue reading "The Moon meets Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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The Moon meets Antares: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

David J. Eicher — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 18:18:49 +0000

In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe a close meeting of the Moon and the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion, Antares. This celestial meet-up will take place on the evening of October 7. You won’t need binoculars or a telescope to view it, although binoculars may give a more pleasingContinue reading "The Moon meets Antares: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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How to see tomorrow’s conjunction of Mars and Jupiter

Alison Klesman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:35:24 +0000

The peak of the Perseid meteor shower has been grabbing headlines this week, but there’s another upcoming event visible tomorrow morning you won’t want to miss: the close conjunction of Mars and Jupiter. In the pre-dawn sky of August 14, the two planets will blaze brightly in the constellation Taurus and stand just 0.3° apart,Continue reading "How to see tomorrow’s conjunction of Mars and Jupiter"

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Spy two planets in the Bull: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

David J. Eicher — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:07:28 +0000

Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll be able to spot Jupiter and Mars moving through the constellation Taurus and past two of the sky’s most famous star clusters — the Hyades and the Pleiades (M45). This will be visible early on the morning of July 15, or any morning within a few days of thatContinue reading "Spy two planets in the Bull: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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