SkyEye

The Calendar

The Solar System

The word planet is derived from the Greek word for 'wanderer'. Unlike the background stars, planets seem to move around the sky, keeping mostly to a narrow track called the ecliptic, the path of the Sun across the stars. Dwarf planets and small solar-system bodies, including comets, are not so constrained, often moving far above or below the ecliptic.

Sun Cancer → Leo

Mercury Leo → Virgo

Greatest elongation east occurs on 16 August, with Mercury losing altitude in the western sky for the last half of the month. It is soon lost to view for northern observers but those in the southern hemisphere can continue to track it into September.

Venus Leo → Virgo

The evening star remains stubbornly close to the western horizon when seen from northern vantage points but rewards southern hemisphere observers by climbing twice as high in the sky.

Mars Libra → Scorpius → Ophiuchus → Scorpius

The red planet is an evening object. Look for it in the west in the twilight as it sets before midnight.

2 Pallas Pegasus → Equuleus

This ninth magnitude object reaches opposition on 20 August.

Jupiter Leo → Virgo

The largest planet in the solar system is approaching solar conjunction next month so it sets right after the Sun.

Saturn Ophiuchus

The ringed planet is catching up with Mars in the sky. Look for it in the early evening, before it sets.

Uranus Pisces

Uranus rises mid-evening and is aloft for the rest of the night.

Neptune Aquarius

A small telescope is necessary to view the most distant planet in the solar system and this is the best time to look because Neptune is at opposition early next month, meaning it's at its closest and brightest.