ilan
09-08-2018, 12:16 PM
Neptune opposite the sun September 7
Bruce McClure in TONIGHT | September 7, 2018
http://en.es-static.us/upl/2015/08/neptune-voyager-1-e1438862153720.gif
In 1989, NASA’s Voyager 2 became the first spacecraft to observe Neptune. More images from Voyager.
On September 6, Earth and Neptune were closest for 2018. One day later, on September 7, Neptune reaches opposition, when it is 180 degrees from the sun in our sky. In other words, on September 7, Earth passes more or less between Neptune and the sun now, as we do every year in our yearly orbit.
By closest, we don’t mean close. Neptune, the eighth planet outward from the sun, lodges in the outskirts of our solar system. Its current distance is about approximately 2.7 billion miles (4.3 billion km).
For any superior planet – that is, for any planet beyond Earth’s orbit – opposition is a special event. When any planet outside of Earth’s orbit is at or near opposition, Earth comes closest to that planet for the year, and that planet, in turn, shines most brightly in our sky. Even at opposition, however, Neptune, the eighth planet, is not bright by human standards. In fact, Neptune is the only major solar system planet that’s absolutely not visible to the unaided eye. This world is about five times fainter than the dimmest star that you can see on an inky black night. You’ll need binoculars (at least) and a detailed sky chart to see Neptune in front of the constellation Aquarius.
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Even though I'm a day late, Neptune is still very, very close to opposition, and I love that image of Neptune. - ilan
Bruce McClure in TONIGHT | September 7, 2018
http://en.es-static.us/upl/2015/08/neptune-voyager-1-e1438862153720.gif
In 1989, NASA’s Voyager 2 became the first spacecraft to observe Neptune. More images from Voyager.
On September 6, Earth and Neptune were closest for 2018. One day later, on September 7, Neptune reaches opposition, when it is 180 degrees from the sun in our sky. In other words, on September 7, Earth passes more or less between Neptune and the sun now, as we do every year in our yearly orbit.
By closest, we don’t mean close. Neptune, the eighth planet outward from the sun, lodges in the outskirts of our solar system. Its current distance is about approximately 2.7 billion miles (4.3 billion km).
For any superior planet – that is, for any planet beyond Earth’s orbit – opposition is a special event. When any planet outside of Earth’s orbit is at or near opposition, Earth comes closest to that planet for the year, and that planet, in turn, shines most brightly in our sky. Even at opposition, however, Neptune, the eighth planet, is not bright by human standards. In fact, Neptune is the only major solar system planet that’s absolutely not visible to the unaided eye. This world is about five times fainter than the dimmest star that you can see on an inky black night. You’ll need binoculars (at least) and a detailed sky chart to see Neptune in front of the constellation Aquarius.
________________________________________________
Even though I'm a day late, Neptune is still very, very close to opposition, and I love that image of Neptune. - ilan
