How to Find Planets in the Night Sky: 9 Steps

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How to Find Planets in the Night Sky: 9 Steps
How to Find Planets in the Night Sky: 9 Steps

Video: How to Find Planets in the Night Sky: 9 Steps

Video: How to Find Planets in the Night Sky: 9 Steps
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The night sky serves as a natural display of all types of celestial bodies. It is possible to see stars, constellations, the Moon, meteors and even other planets. Because of the glow, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be seen with the naked eye. They are usually visible almost year-round; however, there are short periods when they are too close to the Sun, and this ends up preventing visualization. Remember: you can't see them all in the same night. The best time changes monthly, but there are some tips you can follow.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Knowing what to look for

Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 1
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 1

Step 1. Differentiate stars from planets

Generally, planets are much brighter. Also, they are closer to the ground and therefore look much more like disks than dots.

Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 2
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 2

Step 2. Look for the brightest planets

Although a celestial body is within the apparition period, it can be tricky to see if it is not one of the brightest planets. Jupiter and Saturn will always be the easiest to visualize.

Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 3
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 3

Step 3. Know the correct color to look for

Each planet reflects sunlight differently. Therefore, it is essential to know this characteristic of each one.

  • Mercury: This planet reflects a very bright yellow color, which keeps blinking.
  • Venus: Because it is large and silvery, it is often mistaken for a UFO.
  • Mars: Look for a reddish planet in the sky.
  • Jupiter: Reflects the white color and appears as the second brightest point in the sky.
  • Saturn: Such a planet is a small, yellowish-white dot.

Part 2 of 3: Looking in the right place

Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 4
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 4

Step 1. Understand how light affects the sky

In a rural area, for example, it is much easier to see celestial bodies. If you're in the city, light pollution will greatly impede viewing. The tip is to try to find a place away from the lights of the buildings.

Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 5
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 5

Step 2. Look for the right spot

Planets are hardly close to each other. So it's critical to know where to look. The easiest way to find them is when they appear as part of a constellation.

  • Mercury: It will be visible near the Sun. The light from the Star King will prevent viewing for most of the year, but you will be able to see the planet in mid-August.
  • Mars: The planet is very low on the horizon and moves towards the east.
  • Jupiter: always located far from the sun.
  • Saturn: It is very low within the constellation of Libra.
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 6
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 6

Step 3. Take into account your position on Earth

Planets have an apparition period, but it changes according to the northern and southern hemispheres. Therefore, it is essential that you take into account the part of the Earth you are on.

Part 3 of 3: Looking at the right time

Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 7
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 7

Step 1. Find out the period of appearance of the planet, that is, the moment in which it will be visible

This period can last a few weeks or even two years. To find the right time, look in astronomy catalogs.

Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 8
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 8

Step 2. Know the right time

Many planets are more visible just at dusk or dawn. However, looking at the night sky at other times can also work. A tip is to look at dawn, when everything is very dark.

Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 9
Find Planets In The Night Sky Step 9

Step 3. Know when the planets will be visible

To do this, combine the apparition period with the best visibility time to determine the right time to search for that planet.

  • Mercury: is visible several times a year. This year, the best months are September and December.
  • Mars: You can see it early in the morning. Starting in August, Mars will start getting higher and higher in the sky, and that will continue for the rest of the year. As you go up, the brightness also increases.
  • Jupiter: the best time to see him is just before dawn. In 2015, it will appear in the sky around September and remain visible for months within the constellation Leo.
  • Saturn: Night twilight is the best time. The planet will appear in the sky starting in November and will be visible in the morning towards the end of the year.

Tips

  • Be ready! If the weather is cold, dress accordingly.
  • Stay away from city pollution. There's nothing quite like looking at the sky in rural areas.

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