You Can See Saturn & Jupiter This Week — Here's How
Outer space is filled with endless things to see, and soon, both Saturn and Jupiter will be visible in the night sky. Considering how vast and limitless space truly is, it's rather remarkable how much there is to see in our own Solar System. There are asteroids flying all around, countless mysteries to uncover on Mars, and fascinating moons that could hold signs of ancient life.
While certain aspects of the Solar System require expensive equipment, telescopes, and robotics to uncover, some elements can be seen right here from Earth. Just a few days ago, a gorgeous meteor was spotted hurtling through the sky in southern England. If someone lives near the Mineral & Gem Museum in Maine (or doesn't mind traveling to it), they can see the largest piece of Mars rock on the planet. While scientists and astronomers may have greater access to space-related discoveries and sightings, that's not to see the rest of us can't also partake in the fun every now and then.
For anyone itching for a good space viewing experience, this week is one of the best there will be all year. As reported by Space.com, the Moon will soon visit Saturn and Jupiter over the next two nights — making the faraway planets incredibly easy to spot. The Moon visits Saturn first on Thursday, September 16, followed by Jupiter the following night on Friday, September 17. While Saturn and Jupiter are visible numerous nights throughout the year, it's especially easy to find them this week thanks to the position of the Moon.
Let's start with viewing tips for Saturn's appearance on Thursday night. To view the ringed planet, look up at the sky and find the Moon. Make a clenched fist that's at arm's length, hold it up to the Moon, move it up about half a fist, and Saturn should be visible there above the Moon. If viewing Saturn with just the naked eye, it may look like nothing more than a bright star with a yellow/white hue. Anyone eager to see the planet and its ring system will want to grab a telescope with a magnification power of at least 30.
Then there's Friday's viewing of Jupiter. To catch a glimpse of the gas giant, look up at the sky towards the southeast around an hour after the sun has set. From here, start looking towards the lower part of the east-northeast until you spot the Moon. Towards the upper-left of the Moon will appear what looks like a giant white/silver star. That's none other than Jupiter! Jupiter appears much more impressive to the naked eye than Saturn, but once again, using a telescope will result in an even more stunning sight. For folks without a telescope, whipping out a pair of binoculars should be enough to see four of Jupiter's moons.
As with any star or planet-gazing trip, there are a few other things to keep in mind. For the best viewing experience, try to find a safe, isolated area that's free of pesky light pollution. The further someone is away from a bustling city, the better chances there are of seeing Saturn and Jupiter in all of their glory. It's also a good idea to head outside about 20 or 30 minutes before the sightseeing begins, as to give the eyes ample time to adjust to the darkness. Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the show!
Source: Space.com