How to View Uranus Without a Telescope as It Nears Earth Tonight

From about 1.7 billion miles away, Sky-gazers will have a good chance of seeing the icy planet Uranus Thursday night — without the help of a telescope.
Uranus is making its closest approach to our planet, NASA says, and because it will be sandwiched between Earth and the sun, it could be visible to the naked eye. A waning moon, and the resulting darker sky, should help.
“It’s visible all night long and its blue-green color is unmistakeable. It may be bright enough to see with your naked eye — and for sure in binoculars,” according to NASA.
Uranus is 4 times wider than Earth. For perspective, NASA says, if Earth was the size of a nickel, Uranus would be about as big as a softball.
Despite its relative size to Earth, National Geographic notes, the planet would still be just barely visible without any viewing equipment even under ideal conditions. But binoculars, rather than a full telescope, should suffice, NASA says.

The best way to see Uranus, according to National Geographic, is by looking toward the southeast, where it will be close to the Pisces constellation.
“Scan the constellation carefully, and look for a tiny blue-green disk to pop out against the background of fainter stars,” the magazine advises.
Since Uranus will remain close by, those who do have a telescope will be able to see it throughout the month of October.

Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - October 19, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Lisa Marie Segarra Tags: Uncategorized onetime space Source Type: news