Planet viewing

[mick1974]

As a complete novice i was well chuffed to spot jupiter on my first outing. i was wondering if there are any resources out there to tell me what planets are visible to us and when (and preferably where). Thanks in advance

[estwing]

stellarium is your friend..

[Brinders]

Try this:-

Stellarium

Free to download and use and is excellent. You can even use it to control your computerised mount if you have one.

Brinders

[mick1974]

i got stellarium and am just getting to grips with it, thanks people

[John]

Check out Jupiter right now if you can - lots going on there this evening

[FrankieValley]

I like Stellarium too. Here are a couple of links for predicting Jupiter specific events like tonight's transit of Io across the Great Red Spot

Transit Times of Jupiter's Great Red Spot - Planets - SkyandTelescope.com

Jupiter's Moons Javascript Utility - Planets - SkyandTelescope.com

[magic612]

Mick, I make videos every week pointing out where all the visible planets are, where to find them, and other things you might not think to look for as a beginner. Vids are only about 4 minutes long - always posted here:

Eyes On The Sky

[Telrad]

Mick, I make videos every week pointing out where all the visible planets are, where to find them, and other things you might not think to look for as a beginner. Vids are only about 4 minutes long - always posted here:

Eyes On The Sky

David, what great videos! Thanks for posting that link. They are very informative and enjoyable, and just the right length with enough information to keep one occupied each week! I've saved your site as a favourite Thanks.

[magic612]

David, what great videos! Thanks for posting that link. They are very informative and enjoyable, and just the right length with enough information to keep one occupied each week! I've saved your site as a favourite Thanks.

Thanks for the nice compliment, Telrad, and you're welcome. My goal is to educate about light pollution (note the illinoislighting.org links) while providing useful/fun videos about astronomy.

[mick1974]

this is good stuff! my scope was a good buy

[Leo.A]

Stellarium also make a free app for the Iphone and a $0.99 app for the Ipad with slightly more functionality than the free version. With the app on the Ipad, where ever you turn and point the Ipad, stellarium will identify the contents of the night sky in the direction you turn. Zoom functionality also provided, along with names and information of all objects (except UFO's, A stupid friend asked about that).

Absolutely brilliant app.

[mick1974]

i got stupid friends too asking me if im looking for ufo's and i'm sure we have all had the jokes about uranus