![]() ![]() A skilled observer using a 12-inch or larger telescope under optimal sky conditions should be able to spot Triton orbiting within 18 arcseconds of Neptune. Triton was discovered in 1846 (the same year as Neptune) and is the 7th largest moon in the solar system. While you cannot expect to see much more than a tiny blue sphere while observing Neptune, you may be challenged to try to spot its largest moon Triton, shining at magnitude 13.5. Due to this fact, Neptune does not present much in the way of detail from Earth-bound observers. Although Neptune's 49,100 kilometer diameter is almost four times larger than Earth's, the outer ice giant exhibits an apparent diameter of only 2.3 arcseconds at its closest distance of 28.97 astronomical units (4.33 billion kilometers). ![]() Sunlight reflected from Neptune is absorbed by methane in the planet's upper atmosphere, giving it a distinct bluish hue that appears as an 8th magnitude "star" among the background stars of Aquarius throughout 2013. This triangle can be found eight degrees south of the "water jar" asterism of Aquarius ( finder chart). Throughout late summer and autumn of 2013 Neptune is situated within the triangle formed by Ancha (theta Aqr) to the north, sigma to the east and 38 Aqr to the west. Included with this article is a sky map showing the position of Neptune each week on Saturday night. While not visible to the naked eye, they are easily seen in the smallest of telescopes and even binoculars if you know where to look. Technically speaking, an opposition is when Earth comes into line between the Sun and an outer planet rather than the other way around since Earth orbits faster than any of the outer planets.įor the past several years, Skyscrapers has been offering views of the ice giants Uranus and Neptune during our weekly Saturday night observing programs because most people rarely see these faraway yet fascinating worlds. Our solar system's eighth and outermost planet Neptune reaches opposition on August 27, meaning that it is at its nearest position to us and therefore this is the best time of the year to observe it.
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