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There comes a time in the academic career of many elementary school students when they ask their parents to accompany them to the local craft store and purchase several different sized Styrofoam balls. The real magic begins at home, where, thanks to a little paint and other materials, the polystyrene balls transform into the planets of our solar system.
As realistic as those creations were, this month we have the opportunity to see the five bright planets of our solar system, without the need for binoculars or telescopes. Here’s where and when to look and how to spot planets.
Editor’s Note: You will need to be in the Northern Hemisphere to capture these planets in November.
Which planets will be visible?
Throughout the month of November, we will be able to celebrate our naked eyes on the five bright planets of the solar system: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus. According to EarthSky these are considered the “bright” planets because they can be seen without tools, and are the ones that humans have been monitoring for thousands of years.
So why do they all come out in November? EarthSky explains:
Thus it happens that the planets of the November evening (Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) are higher planets, planets that orbit the sun outside the earth’s orbit. And this is precisely how the November morning planets (Mercury and Venus) are lower planets, planets that orbit the sun within the earth’s orbit.
Don’t be alarmed by the fireballs in the sky this week
Depending on where you live, you may have seen the skies light up with fireworks over the weekend. But this week we will see a different kind of (non-political) light show: the Northern Taurid meteor shower. While it technically started in October, the shower will peak this week, specifically …
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How to find the planets
Three of the planets are best seen in the evening, while the other two are easier to spot in the morning. The good news is you don’t have to stay up late to get a chance to see them all.
Evening
At dusk, Mars and Jupiter will become visible. Mars is what appears to be the brightest “star” in the eastern half of the sky, with Jupiter as its equivalent in the west. As it gets a little darker, look towards Jupiter – specifically, about 5 degrees east of the planet (which is about two fingers wide at an arm’s length from the eye) – to see Saturn, EarthSky explains. .
Early morning
By dawn, Venus will be by far the brightest “star” in the sky. Then, about an hour before sunrise, look just below Venus to find Mercury, which tends to be closer to the horizon.
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