SUNSET: 
The 12-Year Cycle of Jupiter Oppositions
Jupiter is at opposition on August 19th. If we take the long view — 12 years long — we can watch Jupiter's oppositions as it passes through the zodiac constellations.
Mutual Event Season Heats Up at Jupiter
Jupiter is usually the one occulting and eclipsing the Galilean moons, but this observing season the moons also eclipse and occult one another.
Ice Giants: Neptune and Uranus
Spot Uranus and Neptune, and relive the original discoveries.
Cool Off with Pluto This Summer
Pluto might be a challenging target but it's well worth the effort. Grab your telescope and see if you can spot this distant, chilly world.
How Bright Are the Planets?
What do Venus and Jupiter have in common? Revisions to planets' magnitudes in this year's Astronomical Almanac have revealed some surprises.
See the Phases of Venus
If you have a set of binoculars or a telescope, watch for Venus’s thinning crescent over the next couple weeks.
Shadow-casting with Venus
Venus has a been powerful presence at dusk for months — bright enough to cast shadows. How would you like to put it to the test? The Moon won't spoil the darkness until at least April 24th — April 25th if you wait till after moonset — making it the perfect time to see your own shadow by the light of another celestial body.
Lonely Pluto Is More than a Speck
With Saturn pointing the way, it's easy to venture into the Kuiper Belt this summer and pay a visit to Pluto.
A Spoonful of Saturn to Sweeten the Night
Move over Jupiter, it's time for Saturn to shine! At opposition this week, the ringed planet is at its brightest and closest for the year.
Venus Occults a Star and Mercury Joins Jupiter on the Winter Solstice
Bring in winter with a bang with a beautiful, close conjunction and a rare planet-star occultation.
See All Eight Planets in One Night
Four planets are great, but how about eight? You can see them all in a single night in the next couple weeks — if you play your cards right.
Observe Changes on Mars
The nearby Red Planet displays remarkable changes every apparition. Whenever Mars approaches opposition, keep an eye out for some of these differences.
Find Jupiter's Moons - Interactive Observing Tool
Use our interactive observing tool to say which of the planet's four largest moons is which.
Transit Times of Jupiter's Great Red Spot
Calculate when the Great Red Spot will cross Jupiter's central meridian — that's the best time to see the famous storm through your telescope.
Find Saturn's Moons: Interactive Observing Tool and App
With help from our interactive JavaScript utility, you can always tell which of Saturn's brightest moons is which.
The Elusive Moons of Uranus
Take the observing challenge: Find as many as five of the brightest moons of Uranus in a large backyard telescope using our interactive observing tool.
Track Triton, Neptune's Largest Moon
Triton, Neptune's largest moon, is a tricky find. Our Triton Tracker observing tool can help users of moderate to large telescopes spot this distant moon.
Mars Profiler: Which Side Is Visible?
To compare what you see on Mars with a map, you need to know which side of the planet you're looking at. Our handy Mars Profiler tells you that and more, for any date and time.
Uranus: In Seventh Heaven with Planet Seven
With our eyes often glued to the bright classical planets, Uranus is easy to overlook. Now well-placed for viewing at a convenient hour, why not pay this pale blue dot a visit the next clear night?
Saturn's Splendid Summer Show
It's showtime for the King of the Rings! Time to get your telescope out to see and share Saturn, which comes to opposition this week.
