Spaced-Out Challenge: Finding Uranus

Welcome again to the Spaced-Out Challenge! Whether you have a question about equipment, a new astronomical discovery you want to expand on, or just want to kick back and enjoy the cosmos above, come one come all on our weekly astronomical journey.

This week, I'll show you how to find the butt of solar system jokes, perfectly positioned in the sky under Pegasus. So grab your optics, step outside, and I'll show you where to look!

Discovered over two hundred years ago by William Herschel, its bluish-green disc has fascinated astronomers, amateur and professional alike. Voyager 2 flew by Uranus almost 30 years ago, capturing our most detailed views of this distant ice giant:

Follow an imaginary line from Schaet through Algenib, then carefully dip south until you spot the fainter stars of Pisces. Eta Pisces will stand out first, then Delta Pisces to it's north west, which is your next target. Aim your binoculars at it, and you are almost there:

With both eta and delta Pisces in view, slightly fainter Uranus forms a triangle. Can you make out it's color? From larger amateur telescopes at high power, multiple moons can be ascertained.

If you have any more questions about your new optics, feel free to ask below.
Until next time, clear skies to you, and keep looking up!

posted by CAC at 08:05 PM

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