Have a favorite planet? HRPO sets aside one Saturday annually for each planet in our Solar System so you and your family, friends and coworkers can get an "up close" view of the terrestrial or gas giant that's #1 on your list. Or…try to see all of them during this International Year of Astronomy. As usual, there's never any out-of-pocket expense for looking through HRPO's two large reflectors. (Note: As Mars is a morning planet during 2009, it will be unavailable for viewing during regular HRPO hours.)
Venus: 17 January, 4:30pm to 6:30pm
At first glance, Venus is Earth's twin. They are similar in size, mass and distance from the Sun. But—Venus has no oceans and temperatures hot enough to melt lead!
Saturn: 16 May, 7:30pm to 9:30pm
It's majestic rings, the massive amounts of X-rays coming from the planet proper—and the stunning moons, including Titan and Rhea.
Mercury: 22 August, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
It wowed us with a transit in '06, but visits us every year. As with Venus, we'll open early for this swiftest of planets.
Jupiter: 17 October, 7:30pm to 9:30pm
The king of the planets is always a delight, with the visible cloud bands and its four Galilean moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto—easily seen as well. The Galileans are always in a different configuration from night to night.
Neptune: 24 October, 7:30pm to 9:30pm
The windiest planet—far away, but its distinctive blue tint is apparent.
Uranus, 7 November, 7:30pm to 9:30pm The tiltiest planet, far away, but its distinctive blue-green tint in apparent.
Created by Frederick J. Barnett on Friday, January 16, 2009 8:04:08 AM