The next time this happens will be in December, when we may be able to see a little bit of detail on Mars with good telescopes. About every two years, Earth passes Mars in its orbit and the two planets will be closer to each other than average. Most backyard telescopes won’t reveal much more than a round pink dot. Mars may be closer to us than Jupiter or Saturn, but it’s a lot smaller. Stay out past midnight for a good look at the red planet Mars. If you see fewer than four moons, it might mean that some of them are behind or in front of Jupiter. Whatever you use to get that close-up view, watch the moons over several nights as they orbit around their parent planet. If you have trouble pointing your binoculars at Jupiter, try leaning them up against the side of a building or another steady surface. You may be even able to see those four Galilean moons of Jupiter with just a good pair of binoculars. You’ll not only see the four largest moons of Jupiter, but also the giant planet’s cloud bands. Whenever Jupiter is visible it’s always a great target for backyard telescopes. You might even see its largest moon Titan. A small telescope will reveal Saturn’s beautiful rings. Cygnus the Swan, Aquila the Eagle, and Lyra the Harp are more easily seen under dark skies. Each of these stars is part of its own constellation. These may be the first stars you see as the sky begins to darken. Next, turn your gaze high overhead for the three bright stars that make up the Summer Triangle. This group of stars is officially known as Ursa Minor the Little Bear. Polaris is at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. When you face the North Star, you’re facing due north. ![]() Polaris is not a particularly bright star, but it does remain fixed in the sky throughout the night and throughout the year. The central peak of this constellation’s W-shape also points you in the direction of Polaris. Whenever the Big Dipper is low to the horizon, Cassiopeia will be high enough to find. Look for a group of five stars known as Cassiopeia the Queen. Some of its stars even set below the horizon from our latitude.Īnother group of stars can help us find our way. It appears very low to the northern horizon in the early evening. However, the Big Dipper is harder to find in the autumn. For much of the year, we use the stars of the Big Dipper to help us find Polaris, the North Star.
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