- Planétarium
Here's a look at the planets that will be observable with the naked eye in the coming days. Follow these guidelines to find out where and when to look for them.
From September 19 to October 3, 2022
Mercury is presently too close to the Sun and is not visible. The tiny planet passes through inferior conjunction (between the Earth and the Sun) on September 23 and becomes visible at dawn after September 30.
Venus sinks lower in the glow of dawn with each passing day, as the gap that separates it from the Sun decreases. The dazzling Morning Star vanishes from sight during the last days of September. It reaches superior conjunction on October 22, passing behind the Sun, and will gradually reappear in the evening sky in December.
Mars is visible during the second half of the night and at dawn. The planet emerges above the east-northeastern horizon around 10:30 p.m. and culminates in the south just before dawn, some 65 degrees above the horizon. On the night of October 14 to 15, the waning gibbous Moon passes just 5 degrees above Mars.
Jupiter reaches opposition on September 26. The bright planet is therefore visible all night long presently: it emerges above the eastern horizon during evening twilight, culminates around 1 a.m. about 44 degrees above the southern horizon, and vanishes in the west at dawn. On the evening of October 8, at dusk, the waxing gibbous Moon rises in the east 3 ½ degrees below Jupiter, with the gap between them increasing over the following hours.
Saturn was at opposition on August 14. The Ringed Planet appears at dusk above the east-southeast horizon, culminates around 10 p.m. about 30 degrees high in the south, and vanishes under the west-southwest horizon before 3 a.m. On the evening of October 5, at nightfall, the waxing gibbous Moon hangs 5 ½ degrees to the lower left of Saturn, with the gap between them increasing over the following hours.