Visible planets from Earth

Here is a trivia question: How many planets are visible without a telescope? Most people will answer “five” (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn). But if you answered “six,” congratulations, you can go to the head of the class!

That sixth world that can be spied without optical aid is the planet Uranus. This week will be a fine time to try and seek it out, especially since it is now favorably placed for viewing in our evening sky and the bright Moon is out of the way.

Of course, you’ll have to know exactly where to look. Barely visible by a keen naked eye on very dark, clear nights, Uranus — currently shining at magnitude +5.7 — is now visible during the evening hours among the stars of Aquarius, the Water Carrier. Conveniently, Mars serves as a great guidepost, being just below the more distant world in our sky.

Source: Space.com