Planets Visible With the Planets Visible With the Naked Eye Naked Eye

By Jennica Bringhurst By Jennica Bringhurst

Introduction Introduction

I will be discussing three main points about the I will be discussing three main points about the planets in the night sky. planets in the night sky.

How to identify the planets from the stars How to identify the planets from the stars The appearance of the planets in the night sky The appearance of the planets in the night sky The visibility of the planets in 2012The visibility of the planets in 2012

Identifying the Planets from the Identifying the Planets from the Stars Stars

Planets and Stars

The Planets positions changes

Planets brightness varies and they shine with a more steady light then the stars .

Plants do not produce any light of their own.

Stars are so distant they appear to twinkle

Stars generate their own light.

Apparition and Opposition

Apparition -The period of time during which any given planet can be seen

Opposition- is when one celestial body is on the opposite side of the sky when viewed from a particular place

MercuryMercury Apparent Magnitude:Apparent Magnitude:

-1.9 -1.9 to to +3.8+3.8 More difficult to spot than the other bright planets Best seen in March and April evenings and September

and October mornings. White in color and can take on a somewhat pinkish hue Twinkles more readily

VenusVenus   Apparent Magnitude:Apparent Magnitude:

-4.7-4.7 to to -3.5-3.5 Easiest planet to see with the naked eye Cycle of alternating morning and evening

appearances

MarsMarsApparent Magnitude:Apparent Magnitude:

-2.9 to +1.8-2.9 to +1.8 Popularly called the red planet Distance from Earth varies considerably Mars can clearly be seen in twilight for about six weeks

       

                             

Star map showing the path of Mars through Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo from September 2011 to August 2012

JupitJupiteerr Apparent Magnitude:Apparent Magnitude:

-2.9-2.9 to to -1.6-1.6  

Appears bright white Can be seen in twilight Largest of the solar system planets, but is not the

brightest when seen from earth .

       

                             

Star map showing the path of Jupiter through Pisces, Aries, Taurus and Gemini from May 2011 to July 2014 

SaturnSaturn Apparent Magnitude: Apparent Magnitude:

At opposition At opposition -0.5-0.5 (rings open) to (rings open) to

+0.9 +0.9 (rings edge-on)(rings edge-on) Appears pale yellow The rings contribute to its brightness. You can see Saturn moon Titan with binoculars.

Star map showing the path of Saturn through Leo and Virgo from September 2006 to December 2013

UranusUranus Apparent Magnitude:Apparent Magnitude:

+5.5+5.5 (average at opposition) (average at opposition) Star map showing the

positions of Uranus from Aquarius through Pisces between 2006 and 2019 

Uranus is barley visible to the naked eye when at its brightest, but there has to be no light pollution to see this planet.

It is the most distant planet visible to the naked eye.

       

                             

  

                

       

                             

Visibility of the Planets in 2012 Visibility of the Planets in 2012

• Dawn- the planet is visible in the eastern sky for an hour or so before sunrise

• Dusk- the planet is visible in the western sky for an hour or so after sunset.

• Mor- the planet is best seen in the morning sky.

• Eve- the planet is best seen in the evening sky.

• AN- the planet is visible all night.

• - The planet is too close to the sun and is not visible

ConclusionPosition of the planets in the Position of the planets in the Constellations Constellations

I hope this information has given you a better understanding of the night sky. Perhaps the next time you are outside with a group of people you can look up at the night sky and impress whoever you are with teaching them about the naked eye planets..

The End The End

Work Cited Work Cited •Powell, Martin J. "The Naked Eye Planets." n.d. <http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/>.