A planet is a celestial body that orbits around a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of other debris and smaller objects. To be considered a planet, the object must also have enough mass to have assumed a nearly round shape and must not be a satellite of another planet.
In our solar system, there are eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. In recent times, the definition of a planet has been revised, and the dwarf planet Pluto is no longer considered a planet.
From Ireland, you can observe several planets in the night sky, including:
- Mercury: It is difficult to see because it is closest to the sun and only visible just after sunset or just before sunrise.
- Venus: Often referred to as the “Morning Star” or “Evening Star,” Venus is the brightest planet and easily visible just after sunset or just before sunrise.
- Mars: It is a reddish planet that is visible in the night sky, especially when it is closest to Earth.
- Jupiter: It is the largest planet and can be easily seen with the naked eye, appearing as a bright star-like object in the night sky.
- Saturn: It is another planet that is easily visible with the naked eye, appearing as a yellowish star-like object in the night sky.
Please note that the visibility of these planets can be affected by several factors such as the time of year, cloud cover, and light pollution.
Do I need a telescope to see the planets
No, you do not necessarily need a telescope to see the planets. Some planets, such as Venus, are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, especially just after sunset or just before sunrise. Other planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn, can also be easily seen with the naked eye, appearing as bright star-like objects in the night sky. However, a telescope can certainly enhance the viewing experience by providing a magnified image of the planets and their features, such as the bands on Jupiter or the rings of Saturn.
It’s important to note that the visibility of the planets can be affected by several factors such as the time of year, cloud cover, and light pollution.