How to find & observe Neptune

www.eyesonthesky.com Neptune may be far from Earth, but it is surprisingly easy to see. The tricky part is finding it - but - this video has a super-easy way to track down the furthest planet in our solar system - with just binoculars! And there's tips on how to observe it with a telescope too. See what's up in the night sky every week with "Eyes on the Sky" videos, astronomy made easy.

[@freeman10000]

Just saw Neptune for the first time tonight with my 8" Dob. The colour of the planet was the the thing that immediately made the planet stand out in the star field.

[@eric29707]

Thanks a lot, I followed every step and I looked with my 10x50 Binoculars on the sky. I actually found planet Netune. It looked like a dim star but I enjoyed the view.

[@Eyesonthesky]

Indeed, it does look a lot like that, and even at high magnification it isn't much to see. But it can be interesting to keep going back to it over the next several weeks and months, to watch the position change.

[@Eyesonthesky]

@@wiard yes

[@Eyesonthesky]

@@wiard strange then, that it was in Sagittarius 30 years ago and had since moved 45 degrees through Capricorn and and Aquarius, presently sitting in Pisces. Maybe you could share with me how that means it "hasn't moved in 30 years."

[@jons2447]

Hello, Mr. Fuller;. Thank you for all you do. I LOVE your videos, they're usually simple enough for me to understand. You've really helped me to progress from a complete newb to a beginner amateur astronomer. For that I sincerely say "THANK YOU!. I recall that late one evening I looked up & saw something in the sky & wondered what it was. Turns out it was the Andromeda galaxy. I've learned a bit since then & I can thank you for your help & for all you do. I had copied your page of tripod building instructions but it can't find it now.. I have an Orion StarBlast 6i, I would like to build the tripod base it but I seem to have lost the plans. I'm 65 so getting on the ground (& back up) can be difficult, specially in the dark. If you could post that on your site that would be really great. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

[@Eyesonthesky]

Thank you so much - that's very kind of you to write! Here's the page to the plans: www.eyesonthesky.com/tutorials/diy/2x4-tripod/

[@yogeshkumar9485]

I found Uranus several times, but finding Naptune will be toughest part of star gazing from this highly urban light polluted place (Delhi). But I will try it tomorrow as sky is not so clear today. Thanks for the informative video sir..🙏🙏

[@Eyesonthesky]

Neptune is two magnitudes fainter than Uranus. Hopefully you will be able to find it! I know that Delhi is quite light polluted, so that may be a challenge for you. But the stars close to Neptune are similar in brightness or brighter than Uranus. So perhaps you can get in the right area and use averted vision to pick out Neptune. Good luck!

[@yogeshkumar9485]

@@Eyesonthesky I have identified the location of Naptune with same direction as guided by you, I know it's there, but I might not be able to see it with my 8*42 Binos,, But this spot is engraved in my mind, I will look for Naptune again and again, from my village 120miles away from this polluted city, their I might see it. It's really amazing to finding something which is there but not visible, and we know that's their. Can't explain by words how thrilling it is. Thanks to you again 🙏🙏

[@Eyesonthesky]

@@yogeshkumar9485 you are very welcome, I am glad I could help! Keep looking - I am confident you will find it. Sometimes using "averted vision" can assist with seeing fainter objects. That is where you concentrate on the area where you know the object is, but look away slightly. This engages the more light sensitive rods on the retina of your eye, and sometimes the fainter object will "pop into view." Clear and dark skies!

[@kevinmurphy3634]

Thanks David. Another great and informative video. Going to check Neptune out as soon as the clouds clear. Keep up the great work

[@Eyesonthesky]

Thank you! Hope you get clear skies soon..

[@doorstampyellow]

Uranus is easier usually. The blue color helps for both. I used a 7x 50 Nikon binoculars from nearly sea level from the dark side of hill blocking Los Angeles and I found them both in the last couple years. My thanks to David for his videos for helping me do this.

[@avt_astro206]

I had Never Been able To Observe Planet Neptune. I live in a Light Polluted City so I am Not Able to Find It. What Is The Best Time To See. Will I be Able To See any Minor Details on The Planet in Telescope. Thank You Clear Skies 🌌

[@Eyesonthesky]

4 to 6 hours past sunset is the ideal time, as it will be quite high in the sky then. There are NO surface details visible with any amateur telescope.

[@MightySchmoePong]

A nice clear night here and just I put out my telescope, then your video came up. Nice timing! Neptune, here I come.

[@enriqueboeneker]

Dave, your videos make me want to have a non go-to mount. Thanks for sharing!

[@Eyesonthesky]

I think the thing I like most about starhopping is once I have identified the area a given object should be - and I know that field of view is in my eyepiece - then I know I am looking at the right object. I have go-to mounts, and I do enjoy using them. But sometimes I'll point to something and think, "Is that it?" If the mount is off, it's hard to tell. But with starhopping, if you've got your shapes to guide you, you'll always be in the right place. Thanks for your comment - it is truly a kind one, that is very much appreciated! Hope my rambling makes sense. :)

[@enriqueboeneker]

Eyes on the Sky it does! Clear skies, Dave!

[@killmaestro7233]

We are getting closer to the alignment I think u know that. Need a scope the and recommendations ??..

[@Almonteobservatory1987]

Hi Daveim looking to do some live streaming with my celestron 8SE, i have found some KZbin channels that do this but don't know what they are using. I have foud some cameras that do astrophotoraphy but none for video astronomy. Would you have any knowledge in this area?

[@Eyesonthesky]

I do not, sorry. Good luck and hope that goes well!

[@xenify_]

What’s the website

[@penu009]

I have observed Triton with my 8" SCT. Neptune is easy but Triton was only visible with averted vision through my C8.

[@followthestars3781]

@Thierry Alan I have an 8” SCT too, I’ll try that since it’s clear tonight

[@justincrediblem]

Spent almost 30 minutes looking for Neptune a couple nights ago. Succeeded! Oberwerk 25x100 binoculars.

[@Eyesonthesky]

Awesome - nice job! And wonderful binoculars too.

[@amandaz9762]

Congratulations! Feels so good when we locate those tougher targets.

[@amandaz9762]

S.o.a.B. I KNEW I HAD IT! I should have snapped some pictures the other night. Guess I'll be taking another adventure... as soon as these clouds disperse (eyeroll). Thanks so much, David! Hope you're both doing well in these nutty days ❤

[@Eyesonthesky]

Don't worry - it will be around for several months! You will get it!!

[@puuxexil]

Very good video. I found Uranus for the first time this summer in my 8" Orion newtonian, and it's like you said, the color stood out as being different from other stars. I hope it's not too late to find Neptune, though I understand it to be 6x dimmer (2 magnitudes) and 50% the apparent diameter.

[@Eyesonthesky]

Neptune is indeed smaller and dimmer, but with an 8" telescope, I don't think you will have any trouble locating and identifying it. Let me know how it goes!

[@puuxexil]

@@Eyesonthesky Still trying this year. I got a deal on a C11, so I've been using that. Can't yet say I've definitively identified it. What would you say is the minimum magnification to resolve it as a disk?

[@Eyesonthesky]

@@puuxexil 200x to 300x.

[@ArkhanTheBlack]

Thanks great video! I never saw Uranus or Neptune but i would love to!

[@Eyesonthesky]

Stay tuned - the video for how to find / observe Uranus is coming in a few days!

[@DavidRamirez-ck2ph]

Perfect, my sister gives me the big ok to view from her residence. I like that 🐢 on the leach

[@joseantoniogarridosolaz5578]

Today is the opposition of Mars I am looking forward to seeing it with my Celestron 10X50 Binoculars. Although with a Telescope it will look better, but I don't have it :(

[@Eyesonthesky]

Hopefully you will be able to get one soon, Jose.

[@joseantoniogarridosolaz5578]

@@Eyesonthesky Thanks you Dave ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@sarthakvaze9185]

Nice video 👍👍

[@Eyesonthesky]

Thank you!

[@rxainstxrm]

Great video

[@Eyesonthesky]

Thank you!

[@ISO8Legionaire]

New Moon last night and super clear but I couldn't find it after looking for an hour :( I passed over and not realized 8" dob

[@ThePattycake1313]

Or just use a go to.

[@Eyesonthesky]

But then how will you know if you've found the correct 8th magnitude dot in the sky? www.eyesonthesky.com/articles/connecting-the-dots-on-starhopping

[@ThePattycake1313]

@@Eyesonthesky my telescope tells me so! Oh and it looks like a blue chip sapphire! Lol! Cmone! We have been friends for years! Do you really think I cheat? I only use my go to for photography! For photographs much easier! I hope you knew I was kidding! Like when I asked you if coffee is a safe sun filter!? It's not ppl!!!

[@Eyesonthesky]

@@ThePattycake1313 you have to remember to use the font. ;-)

[@ianferguson3998]

Neptune is my white whale this year...

[@Eyesonthesky]

Well hopefully this video helps you slay that whale once and for all. :)

[@ianferguson3998]

@@Eyesonthesky I think I got it last night! Compared to Uranus in my 8xt it's really tiny!

[@Eyesonthesky]

@@ianferguson3998 excellent!! Indeed, Neptune is VERY SMALL.

[@maxrider5089]

i am the one who disliked buyton. but i like this video..

[@wilcojuffer5940]

Nice video 👍 but very boring shirt you have on 😒