As the Earth and its celestial neighbours travel around the Sun, the other planets become visible in different areas of the night sky. The resources offer a general "time and place" to find the planets which can be seen with the naked eye (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn). For a more detailed location, specific to the day of year, use the sky maps provided at Sky and Telescope. These positions and timeframes are applicable to Canadian skies.

All of the planets, except for Pluto, travel in orbits which are more-or-less within the plane of the solar system. For example, if the solar system was a pie plate with the Sun at the centre, all the planets move around the Sun right on the surface of the pie plate - not off into the air. (Pluto's orbit is tilted so that it goes above and below the pie plate at times.) Being in one plane causes all the planets to look as though they're traveling on a line through the sky. This line, which passes through the constellations of the zodiac, is called the ecliptic.

Be sure to also visit the links at the bottom of this page for more information on observing. Clear skies!

Where are the planets tonight?

• The Naked Eye Planets
• Stardate.org
• stargazing.org.uk - A more detailed listing of where to find the planets

Related Links:

• Family astronomy activities
• Get started in observing
• Astronomy camping activities
• Tour the universe
• Tour of the Night Sky

compiled by the CASCA education Webteam, (2010)