How to find planets?

[mbaddah]

Hi everyone

Just recently purchased a 6" dobsonian and few ice pieces, was wondering what would be the best way of seeking out and viewing planets?

I have seen Jupiter few times by chance just randomly scanning the sky, but I want to know exactly how to find it and others such as mars, saturn etc.. Your help would be greatly appreciated thankyou.

[saberscorpx]

Planets generally hang out in the zodiac constellations. They're usually very bright and do not twinkle along with the rest of the stars.
Eventually we just get a feel for their locations.

Until then, Your Sky is a quick online reference.
Just enter a location, time, and object.

http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/

The news stand astromags and are another source for planetary data.
Plenty of astronomy software available as well.
Stellarium and CdC are popular downloads.


Happy hunting,
SJS

[ballaratdragons]

mbaddah has posted this same thread twice. Rather than have 2 sets of answers in different threads, go here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=25089

:thumbsup:

[mbaddah]

Apologise for the double post was an accident :(

[mbaddah]

Thanks for the link will test out tomorrow night :)