[ad_1]
All of the planets in the solar system are visible in the night sky this week, making it a great sight for astronomers. Even the outermost planets – Uranus and Neptune (plus the dwarf planet Pluto) can be seen by observers using telescopes.
Jupiter and Saturn can easily be found in the southwest region of the evening sky, while everyone’s favorite ex-planet, Pluto, can be found by skilled amateur astronomers. Venus and Mercury, huddled near the Sun, can be seen just before sunrise. Mars, meanwhile, spends its time with our two ice giants – Uranus and Neptune.
Fire and ice
The southeastern sky, a little after sunset, offers Mars – brilliant brilliant red. And the two planets discovered in the Age of Telescopes – Uranus and Neptune – are found astride the Red Planet.
Using a telescope or binoculars, Uranus can find approximately 13 degrees above Mars and 20 degrees north (left) of the Red Planet. It will appear as a small, light blue disc in most telescopes or binoculars.
Neptune – darker, darker, and more difficult to find than Uranus, can be seen 11 degrees below and 31 degrees south (right) of Mars. Finding this planet can present a real challenge for amateur astronomers.
The two heavyweight champions
The evening sky also offers Jupiter and Saturn bright above the southwest horizon.
These two larger planets are currently only a few degrees apart, and they meet as seen from Earth. On December 21, these two worlds will be the closest they will be seen until March 2080.
Saturn is the most distant planet visible to the naked eye. However, the use of binoculars or a telescope allows viewers to see the magnificent series of rings on this planet.
Amateur astronomers should find Jupiter first, shining in the southwestern sky, shortly after sunset. A few degrees from this world is Saturn, which shines less brightly, with a distinctive yellow tint.
Hobbyist astronomers will need dark skies and a telescope at least 12 inches in diameter to find Pluto, but this adorable underdog is currently hiding in darkness within one degree (two full moons) in below and north (left) of the mighty Jupiter.
For you, early riser (what’s so good about worms, anyway?)
Venus, the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon, shines just before dawn. This world is roughly the same size and has the same mass as Earth. But, rains of sulfuric acid, overwhelming pressures, and temperatures hot enough to melt lead make it a hellish world – except perhaps in a temperate zone located in its upper atmosphere.
This world shines extremely bright in the southeastern sky and should be easy to find for anyone with a clear view to the southeast.
Mercury, 70 times weaker than Venus, is located under Venus, closer to the horizon. This world is usually visible to the naked eye, but binoculars or a telescope make it easier to find Mercury. This planet can be seen (under a dark sky) sitting about 12 degrees below and four degrees north (to the left) of Venus.
As November progresses, Mercury will become brighter and brighter each day, and it will be seen higher above the horizon.
Although this planet is closest to the Sun, it is – on average – cooler than Venus, due to the thick atmosphere surrounding its larger companion, creating an uncontrollable greenhouse effect.
You just couldn’t plan that way …
“Sometimes I wonder if the planets are still up there, still aligned, still managing to get along after all this time. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from them. “- Tahereh Mafi, Ignite Me
The relatively rare all-planetary alignment that occurs this week offers hobbyist skygazers a chance to see these planetary wonders of our solar system.
A trick to looking for targets in the sky is to hold a fist at arm’s length. This covers about 10 degrees, while a single finger at arm’s length measures about two degrees side to side.
The Moon can drown dark objects with light, but our planetary companion will get darker (and rise later) each night, until November 15. Then the Moon will become brighter until the end of the month.
As we gaze at seven of the eight planets in the night sky, let’s also take a moment to look down and remember the only planet we know of capable of supporting life – Earth.
This article was originally published on The cosmic companion through James maynard, founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion. He was born in New England and became a desert rat in Tucson, where he lives with his lovely wife, Nicole and Max the Cat. You can read this original piece here.
Astronomy news with The Cosmic Companion is also available as a weekly podcast, broadcast on all major podcast providers. Tune in every Tuesday for updates on the latest astronomical news and interviews with astronomers and other researchers working to discover the nature of the Universe.
Read more:
Merchants Ditch Zoom For Expedia As Pfizer Vaccine Teases Life After COVID
[ad_2]
Source link