What planets can you see with a telescope? There is a lot to view, admire, and wonder at on the solar system. However, you shouldn't expect to see all the amazing detail that can be seen in the images from space probes using a tiny telescope or binoculars.
Purchasing a telescope
Most people begin with binoculars since they are affordable and versatile. But as your curiosity grows, you'll undoubtedly want to view farther and clearer, which is when a telescope is required. There are numerous options available, but getting sound guidance from a compassionate and competent salesperson is crucial for a purchase.
Looking at the moon - What planets can you see with a telescope?
The Moon is most likely the most enjoyable celestial object to view via a telescope. Even a tiny telescope will allow users to view the mountains and craters. The area between darkness and light, where the Sun is either rising or setting, is the finest spot to gaze. Here the shadows cast by mountains and crater walls are extremely long and can give very dramatic views. As the sunlight reaches or departs peaks close to the terminator, changes in the shadows can be visible in as little as an hour.
Mercury
Mercury is difficult to view with bare eyes, but if you know where to look with a telescope, you can see it even during the day. When Mercury is near the Earth, a tiny disk and phases (similar to the Moon's) can be seen. The disc shows phases similar to the Moon's. At the Superior Conjunction, when Mercury is behind the Sun and farthest from Earth, it seems full, and at the Inferior Conjunction, it appears new (when it is between the Earth and the Sun).
Venus
When the sky is dark, Venus may be too bright to see via a telescope. In general, it is preferable to view at dusk or even during the day. While no surface details are visible, it is simple to discern Venus' phases via a tiny telescope, just like the Moon. Any specifics in the cloud structures being visible is quite rare.
When Venus is east of the Sun in the evening and west of the Sun in the morning, it is easiest to see. It is so dazzling that it is difficult to confuse with any other item. When close to the horizon, the effects of "twinkling" can produce incredible flashing color effects that are sometimes described as strange objects, occasionally as UFOs.
Mars
Mars frequently disappoints since, aside from very close approaches to the Earth, it only displays a small disk. When Mars comes close, the polar caps and portions of the dark markings are frequently visible. These are sometimes hidden by enormous Martian sandstorms, which can take weeks to disperse.
It is incredibly challenging to perceive detail, even with huge telescopes, and many skilled observers were tricked into thinking they had seen features like the fabled canals, that were in fact non-existent.
Jupiter - What planets can you see with a telescope
Jupiter's atmosphere features unique bands that can be observed in even very small telescopes. These alter as the planet rotates and might vary greatly from season to season. You may see the Great Red Spot.
Four of Jupiter's moons are seen in binoculars, and they feature eclipses that are always fascinating and were used to make one of the earliest estimates of the speed of light. These are the four largest satellites in Jupiter's family, and they are located within the magnetosphere, which stretches millions of kilometers into space. Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are the largest; their diameters range from 3000 to 5000 km; Leda is the smallest, with a diameter of only 10 km.
Saturn
The planet with the most magnificent ring system is Saturn. Its moon can be easily seen. Its non-circular shape can be viewed with decent binoculars, and a small telescope can show the rings as well as Titan, the largest satellite.
The rings are seen edge-on (or rather, not seen) as the Earth passes across their plane around every 15 years, however their shadow on Saturn's disk may still be visible.
Pluto, Neptune and Uranus
A tiny telescope reveals little greenish discs as Uranus and Neptune. Big telescopes are required in order to see Pluto.
Observation of minor planets and asteroids
Many of the minor planets are visible, even with binoculars, but their identification will require star charts and information on their present positions. Vesta is the only asteroid that can be seen with the unaided eye.
When an asteroid's location is known, the best way to identify it is to chart the stars in the area around the expected position and then compare the drawing to the sky a few nights later. The asteroid should be able to be recognized based on how it is moving in relation to the stars.
The British Astronomical Association's Handbook provides the locations of the brighter asteroids, and the Astronomical Almanac provides the locations of Pallas, Vesta, and Juno.
