The Planets

Uranus

Uranus (approximately magnitude +5.5) is considered visible to the naked eye; however, this is only true from a dark site. I need binoculars to see Uranus from my home in Fairfax, VA because the limiting magnitude at the zenith on a clear night is about magnitude 4.5. Uranus is readily located with binoculars from moderately light polluted skies, and is easy from a dark site.

Uranus is in the constellation Aquarius during 2005 and 2006. It will become viewable before dawn in the late spring of 2005 until it is lost in the evening twilight in early 2006. This animation shows Uranus's motion against the background stars from April 2005 though February 2006. Each step is one week. Notice that Uranus begins its rapid retrograde motion through the faint stars of Aquarius in June 2005 and completes it in November. Notice that Uranus is joined briefly by Mars in May 2005 and by Mercury in February 2006.

Uranus's Motion 2005 Apr 24 - 2006 Feb 12

Updated on 2005-03-04