planet

[Farplace]

What is the planet some way to the left of the full moon tonight? Is it Jupiter?

[artdemole]

Jupiter is very busy rising in south east.It is the brightest about this time .Its moons are also visible.

[turkeyneck]

Jupiter left of the moon, Uranus just right of Jupiter and Neptune right and just below the moon, err.....pluto just going below the horizon

[Farplace]

Thank you! i thought I was right. I will look for the others if there is a break in the clouds (ever).

[nytecam]

Originally Posted by Farplace

Thank you! i thought I was right. I will look for the others if there is a break in the clouds (ever).

You're right on Jupiter - but someone hereabouts has been looking at their planetarium program and forgot to mention optical aid needed for all the other bodies mentioned

Here, for the record, is faint Pluto from last night [data on image] using JPL Horizons prog for identification

[RobS]

When you say optical aid, how much?

With a good imagination I can see the rings on Saturn with my spotting scope if they are open, and with 10 x 50 binoculars the satellites of Jupiter and some of the lines across are just about discernible.

Could I see Uranus and or Neptune with either? I am interested to know as that would be two planet ticks for me!!

Thanks

Rob S

[turkeyneck]

Uranus is just on the edge of naked eye detection (6th Mag) Neptune is out of naked eye detection, being about six times dimmer than Uranus. Both are detectable with binoculars (just) but you need to know exactly where to look as it is a case of looking for a needle in a haystack. All depends on position of the moon and light/atmospheric conditions etc.
I'm sure someone on here much more knowledgeable than myself can advise you better.

Good luck

Lee

[RobS]

Thanks for the reply, I didn't realise I 'might' actually be able to see them - I'll have to look at my i Pod app to see where they are in the sky. Obviously at that mag there will be no colour but am I right in thinking they will not twinkle?

Or is that xexexexexexexexe?

Rob S

[turkeyneck]

Yeh Rob, they won't twinkle but it's gonna be a pin-head of light. I've seen them both but not recently though and that was through my scope with a starfinder on, I'd hate to do it manually and with binos or a spotting scope.
Gotta have good conditions and be ready to persevere, hence the good luck on the last post

[RobS]

Oh!

Well I won't be persevering tonight here in Southampton!!!