Planets

Positioned on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun, Jupiter is shown at opposition. Credit: Steve Marsh

What is opposition in astronomy?

Mars reaches its highest position for August at the month’s close. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide How to see the planets in the night sky this month

A view of Saturn from above its north pole, made from 36 images obtained on 10 October 2013. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Cornell

A guide to the rings of Saturn

Saturn and Jupiter appear close together in the sky, and they are joined by a full Moon on 5 July 2020. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide How to see the planets in the night sky, July 2020

Venus in the Pleiades

Astrophotography

Photographing the ring of Venus

Mars will appear closest to Neptune on 13 June in the morning sky. Credit: Pete Lawrence

See Mars and Neptune together in the early morning sky

Jupiter and Saturn will be worth keeping an eye out for in June 2020. Position of stars relative to horizon is correct for 04:00 BST on 1 June, 03:00BST on 15 June and 02:00 BST on 30 June. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide See the planets in the night sky this month

A view of Venus captured by JAXA's Akatsuki orbiter. © PLANET-C Project Team

Radio Astronomy Podcast Venus special: farewell to the evening star

A view of the Milky Way over Gran Sasso, Italy. The bright red 'star' on the left is Mars, while Saturn is at the middle of the image. The bright 'star' on the right is Jupiter. Credit: Dneutral Han / Getty Images

How to find the planets in the night sky

The Apollo 11 landing site. Credit: NASA

How scientists estimate the ages of planetary surfaces

A mission to Uranus could teach us a lot, including about the early Solar System. Credit: Mark Garlick / Science Photo Library

Why we should send a spacecraft to explore Uranus

After a colossal impact, was debris from Mercury blown away by the solar wind? Credit: Getty Images

Was Mercury stripped away by a colossal impact and the solar wind?

Follow the course of brilliant Venus over the month of May, as it evolves from being visible in the evening for 1.5 hours to just 30 minutes. Credit: Pete Lawrence

How to see the planets in the night sky throughout May 2020

Viking image of Mars

What did astronomers believe about Mars before the Space Age?

Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will appear close together in the early part of April. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide How to see the planets throughout April 2020