Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Make note that Seattle lies at 47 degrees north latitude, and 122 degrees west longitude. These coordinates will act as a reference for your star chart.
Be aware that it may be difficult to see both planets on the same night. Mars orbits the sun at roughly 141 million miles while Saturn orbits at 887 million miles. It takes Saturn much longer to make its circle around the sun than it does Mars, which means the chances of them both being visible from Earth at the same time are relatively small.
Consult your star chart for the date and time you plan to view either planet. The star chart may have Seattle specifically identified, which makes your job easy. Otherwise, enter the latitude and longitude for Seattle in the chart.
Choose a location that is reasonably free from obstacles blocking the sky, such as an open field or hilltop. Try to find a dark place, as far from streetlights and billboards as possible.
If you are using a telescope, try to set it up so that the viewing angle is comfortable. If the planet is overhead, for example, try and place the tripod so that the eyepiece will be at or near your standing or sitting height.
Your binoculars will work better if you stabilize yourself against a solid object like a table or a parked car. Anything you can do to reduce vibrations in the binoculars will help you in seeing the planet's details.
The chart will tell you where to look for the planet in the night sky. Aim your telescope, binoculars or eyes in that direction and look carefully. Planets generally don't twinkle, making them easy to differentiate from stars.
Watch Saturn carefully. Mars' moons are too small to be visible to any but the largest telescopes. While Saturn's rings are a breathtaking sight, you might very well be able to see Titan, Saturn's largest moon.
Use your pad and pencil to note Titan's location relative to the disk of Saturn. If you check back on another night you will be able to track the moon's movement in its orbit around Saturn.