How to find planets in the night sky

Location and time come first

The sky you see depends on where you are and when you look. Do not copy observing times from another country without checking local visibility.

1. Open “Place and time” in Orbit Atlas. Choose a city or enter coordinates. GPS is optional and requires your permission.
2. Use live time or set the date of your planned observation. Check the time zone; choose the Iceland setting when observing there.
3. Apply the settings to all views and open “Find an object”.

Source: NASA — Skywatching FAQ

Read direction and altitude

In the guide, azimuth is direction: 0° means north, 90° east, 180° south and 270° west. Altitude measures height above the horizon; 0° is the horizon and 90° is directly overhead.

A negative altitude puts the object below the geometric horizon. A positive altitude does not guarantee visibility: buildings, hills, clouds and a bright sky can obscure it. Check for an open view in the indicated direction.

Choose a target for your night

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be seen with the unaided eye when their positions and observing conditions allow. That does not mean all five are visible from Iceland every night.

Select a planet in the guide and check its calculated direction and altitude. This article gives no fixed observing times: use your selected date and place in the tool.

Source: NASA — Skywatching FAQ

Match the screen to the sky

Establish the directions around you, then compare the map with recognizable stars. Treat a phone compass as approximate. Nearby metal and device calibration can affect its reading.

Dim the screen and let your eyes adjust to darkness. Start without equipment. Never point binoculars or a telescope at the Sun without an appropriate solar filter fitted over the front of the instrument.

Source: NASA — Eclipse Viewing Safety

The 3D model and your local sky

The Solar System scene helps you explore planets. Sizes, distances and animation speed are adjusted for clarity. When looking for a planet outdoors, use the local sky and dated observing guide rather than the model’s orbital position in the 3D scene.