The Planets

[Bazile]

Apart from venus , is there any other planets in the solar system that is visible with the naked eye from the earth ?

If yes , what direction do you need to look at the present time - taking the moon as a reference point ?

If you cant see any other - then using a telescope - again what direction would you need to point it .

[kempie]

Five planets can be recognised as planets from earth with the naked eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

A good (free!) piece of astronomical software is available for download here...

http://www.stellarium.org/

and can help you pinpoint positions of heavenly bodies such as Saturn currently visible to the South.

[gen2]

It is not a good idea to use the moon as a reference point since its position changes by 15 degrees every day. The planets move as well of course, but far slower and you'd hardly notice the change from one night to the next.