When attempting to view Jupiter or Saturn in the western sky, why is setting a second viewing window 45 to 60 minutes after sunset recommended?
Answer
Jupiter and Saturn set much later than Venus and will not be too low or obscured by glare.
Setting a second, slightly delayed viewing window approximately 45 to 60 minutes after the Sun has initially set is a strategy tailored for observing the outer planets like Jupiter and Saturn. Because Venus orbits closer to the Sun, it sets relatively quickly following dusk and will likely be gone during this later check. However, Jupiter and Saturn orbit much farther out, meaning they set significantly later. This delayed observation allows them to rise higher in the sky, moving them away from the obscuring atmospheric haze and lingering glare too close to the horizon during the initial twilight fade-out, making them easier to spot.
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