Charts sub-menu
Outer planets & Pluto
Major planet positions are calculated by the VSOP87 method (J. Meeus, Astronomical Algorithms, Willmann-Bell). Positions of Pluto are calculated from the latest osculating elements given in the Minor Planet Centre's database. Star data are from the Hipparcos/Tycho databases.
| Link to chart | Opposition date | Opposition magnitude |
|---|---|---|
 Uranus 2021 | 2021 Nov 04 | 5.7 |
 Neptune 2021 | 2021 Sep 14 | 7.8 |
 Pluto 2021 | 2021 Jul 17 | 14.3 |
next to a chart provides a link to a red-on-black version, for display while observing.
The printed Handbooks have always plotted the outer planets on the coordinate system for the mid-year (eg, J2012.5). Here we have used J2000.0 in the hope that it is more useful in practice. Some feedback would be useful.
