Neptune reaches opposition today: How to see the distant planet
By Samantha Mathewson about 2 hours ago
Observing the planet requires a pair of binoculars or a small telescope.
The planet Neptune. (Image credit: Starry Night)
The solar system's outermost planet, Neptune, reaches opposition today — here's how you can catch a glimpse of the distant gas giant.
Planet Neptune reached opposition today (Sept. 14) at about 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT), when Earth passed directly between the sun and Neptune, according to EarthSky.org. Opposition occurs when two astronomical objects — in this case, the sun and Neptune — are on opposite sides of the sky as seen from Earth. As a result of this cosmic alignment, Neptune will appear bigger and brighter in the sky than at any other time of the year (though you’ll still need a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to see it.)
During opposition, Neptune rises in the east as the sun sets in the west, offering skywatchers the best views after 9 p.m. local time. However, the planet will be visible and especially spectacular throughout most of the night tonight, in front of the constellation Aquarius, reaching its highest point in the night sky around midnight local time.
Planet Neptune reaches opposition at about 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT) on Sept. 14, 2021, when Earth passes between the sun and Neptune. (Image credit: Starry Night)
Yesterday (Sept. 13), Neptune also passed perigee, or the closest point to Earth in its orbit, at a distance of 2.7 billion miles (4.3 billion kilometers), making it appear its brightest all year. The planet made its closest approach to Earth about 20 hours before opposition. Nevertheless, as the eighth planet from the sun, Neptune’s vast distance means it is never visible to the unaided eye — no matter how closely it orbits Earth.
More:
https://www.space.com/neptune-reaches-opposition-september-2021?utm_source=notification
= new reply since forum marked as read
