Planets | Motions of the Planet's Moons | Rotation of Jupiter | Orbital Motion of the Planets
1. Planets 50 points
Many of the planets of our Solar System are visible to the naked eye. The most prominent are Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

The planets that you will be able to observe in the evening differ from month to month. Your instructor can tell you which planets are up in the sky right now, or you can find out on your own by going to this link.
 
 
Venus
The features of Venus that are worth looking for are
  • color
  • phase (like our Moon)

Try to note

  • the phase of the planet
  • the orientation of the planet's phase shape to the Sun
  • position in the sky

Jupiter
The features of Jupiter that are worth looking for are

  • color
  • cloud bands
  • the Great Red Spot
  • the Galilean moons

Try to note

  • the number of moons visible
  • the relative position and orientation of the cloud bands
  • the relative position and orientation of the moons
  • the relative orientation of the cloud bands and moons
  • the position of the Great Red Spot
  • the position of Jupiter with respect to background stars in the field of view

Saturn
The features of Saturn that are worth looking for are

  • color
  • the rings
  • moons

Try to note

  • the number of moons visible
  • the number of rings visible
  • the relative position and orientation of the rings
  • the relative position and orientation of the moons
  • the relative orientation of the rings and moons
  • the position of Saturn with respect to background stars in the field of view

Uranus or Neptune
The features that are worth looking for about Uranus or Neptune are

  • color