How to Spot Neptune and Uranus in the Night Sky

Stargazers have a unique chance to observe Neptune and Uranus, with Uranus shining at magnitude +5.7 in the constellation Aries, and Neptune, fainter at magnitude +7.8 in Pisces. Both well-placed for viewing with binoculars and telescopes.

Stargazers have a unique chance to observe Neptune and Uranus. (PHOTO: EarthSky)

READ ALSO: THE EUROPEAN SOUTHERN OBSERVATORY CAPTURES COSMIC FLOWER USING VLT

Opportunity to Spot Neptune and Uranus in the Night Sky

For stargazers, a unique chance to see Neptune and Uranus is here. While Uranus is just barely visible to the naked eye, Neptune and Uranus are currently in good positions for observation, especially with the moon out of sight this week.

According to a published article in Space, Uranus shines at magnitude +5.7, although its faint. It appears in the constellation Aries during late evenings, about one-third of the way up from the eastern horizon to the zenith around midnight. It’s situated between Jupiter on the west and the Pleiades star cluster on the east.

With binoculars, you can look for a small, pale-greenish star-like object. To see more details, a telescope with a magnification of at least 150x can reveal Uranus as a tiny, featureless disk.

READ ALSO: NASA’S RISING STAR, ASTRONAUT LORAL O’HARA, SET TO LAUNCH ON MAIDEN SPACE MISSION TO THE ISS

Neptune and Uranus Relationship

Neptune, fainter at magnitude +7.8, resides in Pisces. Space stated that you should look for the Circlet asterism and the star 20 Piscium. Neptune will appear as a tiny, bluish star through binoculars. To discern it further, you’ll need a telescope with a four-inch aperture and 200x magnification.

Neptune and Uranus’ relationship sparked concerns when Neptune’s discovery in 1846 was the result of irregularities in Uranus’s orbit, according to NASA.

Though challenging to spot, both Neptune and Uranus offer a captivating glimpse into our solar system’s outer reaches for astronomy enthusiasts.

READ ALSO: CHANDRAYAAN 3 CURRENT STATUS: INDIA’S MOON LANDER AND ROVER SHINE IN NEW LUNAR IMAGERY