Planets & Moons
There are 8 officially recognized Solar System planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Most of them, except Mercury and Venus, have their own natural satellites, commonly called “moons.” Some of the dwarf planets, like Pluto and Eris, have moons, too. Here, you’ll learn the best dates to observe planets in the sky and find everything you need to know about planets, dwarf planets, and natural satellites. When you learn enough, test your astronomy skills with our challenging quizzes!
What Happens on August 12, 2026? The Biggest Skywatching Day of the Year
Plan your August 12, 2026 skywatching marathon: planets before sunrise, a solar eclipse, and a moonless Perseid peak after dark.
How to See the Planetary Alignment in August 2026
See six planets before sunrise around August 12, 2026. Check the best viewing time for your city, where to look, and which planets need binoculars.
Key Differences Between a Star and a Planet: Star VS Planet
Learn the key differences between stars and planets and 6 easy ways to tell stars from planets in the sky.
All About Mars: Facts, Visibility, and Viewing Tips
Why does Mars look red? How big is it? Can you see it tonight? Discover Mars facts, get visibility tips, and learn about upcoming sky events.
Bright “Star” Next to Moon: What Planet Is Near the Moon Tonight?
What is that bright dot shining near the Moon tonight? Find out about stars and planets that can be seen next to our natural satellite this month!
Where Is Saturn Tonight? How to Find Saturn and See Its Rings
Where is Saturn tonight? See when Saturn is visible, where to look in the sky, what it looks like to the naked eye, and how to find it from your location.
All About Pluto: Explore The Peculiar Dwarf Planet
How far is Pluto from the Earth? Why isn’t Pluto a planet? Read this article to get answers to these and many other questions!
Planet Parade Map: Next Planetary Alignment in 2026
See a 6-planet alignment around August 12, 2026. Use the planet parade map to find out how the planets line up in the sky before sunrise.
Planetary Oppositions 2026: Next Up Is Neptune
The best time to view most planets is at the astronomical opposition. Find out what it means and when to see the upcoming oppositions.
Neptune: The Farthest & Windiest Planet in the Solar System
How big is Neptune? What is Neptune made of? Why is Neptune blue? Read our article and learn curious facts about the outermost planet in the Solar System.