13 replies to this topic

[stevenwav]

Hi - I am just wondering what types of planetary viewing can I expect over the next 15 - 20 years. I enjoy viewing Jupiter, Mars and Saturn very much and it seems like at this point in time, with Saturn becoming edge-on and Mars pretty small, these are not the best planetary viewing years. I read that 2033 and 2035 will be better for Mars and of course Saturn will unfurl her rings each year from our perspective, but what do the next 15 years look like for each? I live in New England, and granted - the seeing sucks most of the time here but I am a glutton for punishment. Any info appreciated.

 

BTW - I did just have one of my very best lifetime views of Mars a couple of weeks ago at the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys. I was using my TMB 130 f/9.265 and TMB Supermonocentrics - 5mm was the best view. 

Thanks in advance!

Edited by stevenwav, 12 February 2025 - 03:43 PM.

[happylimpet]

Saturn will get mostly better, Uranus will stay about the same, Neptune will get better. Jupiter, Mars and everything else will come and go. There will be good times and bad times, but it'll all be a lot of fun.

[ris242]

Most of the planets for me (being at 41 degrees South) are in my summer skies right now...........in a so called alignment (in a row).......very low in MY Northern sky.

 

With Jupiter taking 12 years to orbit the Sun, in 6 years time.......it will be at its highest point in my winter skies.

Saturn takes 30 years.........so 15 years later.......and so on.

 

Remember once Saturn's rings go edge on............then its improving after that.

 

Mars just under 1.9 years for an orbit.

[stevenwav]

Yeah - I guess I should consider my planetary-specialist telescopes a long term investment! Meanwhile, its a good thing I enjoy observing the moon and the sun. 

[tcifani]

You can do quite a bit of future research yourself using Stellarium desktop or similar. Just type in the planet name in the search box, zoom in a lot, turn off the Landscape features and click through future months and years. I turn off Landscape features so that the object doesn't disappear beyond the horizon into the Southern Hemisphere, but make sure you turn it back on again for actual precise viewing dates where you live.

 

Have fun!

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[quilty]

astronomy is a saisonal hobby like skiing.

In poor times of deprivation we see to our equipment, repair and complete. Or watch videos from Saalbach...

[JOEinCO]

astronomy is a seasonal hobby like skiing....

 

Planetary astronomy, maybe. But astronomy itself is definitely year-round.    

[Dave Mitsky]

Planetary astronomy, maybe. But astronomy itself is definitely year-round.    

Indeed, I certainly observe during the course of the entire year.

[ris242]

Nothing wrong with daytime observing of Jupiter. Shadow transits are still fine. Its just a white planet on a blue background

[MichaelJB]

I don't know the specifics, but I remember someone on here mentioning that when saturn's rings go edge-on, more of its moons, become visible, but I forget which ones... maybe someone can clarify.

[Cpk133]

I don't know the specifics, but I remember someone on here mentioning that when saturn's rings go edge-on, more of its moons, become visible, but I forget which ones... maybe someone can clarify.

The faint ones or any moon that would have been in close proximity to the bright rings.  Mimas is the one that comes to mind.

[Tyson M]

I know I always look forward to observing planets any chance I get. Seeing has to be average though at least. 

[Dave Mitsky]

The inclination of Saturn's rings at opposition over a 30-year period can be seen at https://www.curtrenz.com/saturn02.html

[antarex]

Speaking of Saturn, between March 22 and 24 of this year, it would have been possible to observe the planet "without" the rings. The perspective inclination of the rings will be 0°.
Unfortunately, bad luck wants it will be complicated at only 9° of western elongation from the Sun...

Edited by antarex, 03 March 2025 - 03:46 AM.