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When to watch Jupiter as it makes its nearest way to deal with Earth beginning around 1963.
See Jupiter shine during its closest approach to Earth since 1963 on Monday (Sept. 26)
The largest planet in our solar system, the gas giant will be at opposition, meaning Earth is directly between it and the sun, said Trina L. Ray, deputy science manager for the Europa Clipper mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
The space agency originally said Jupiter would be making its closest approach to Earth in 70 years, but corrected its statement after discovering the error, a NASA spokesperson said.
jupiter is at opposition about every 13 months, the length of time the Earth takes to orbit the Sun in relation to Jupiter, according to EarthSky.
Neither Earth nor Jupiter orbits the sun in a perfect circle, which is what makes each opposition a slightly different distance, said Ray, who is also NASA’s investigation scientist for the Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface, or REASON.
A rare crossover event
The close approach won’t be the only special occurrence involving Jupiter on Monday. The planet will also reach its opposition — when it rises in the east as the sun sets in the west — making it appear larger and brighter than normal, NASA said. The opposition, which occurs every 13 months, rarely coincides with the planet’s closest approach to Earth.
That may seem like a far distance, but considering Jupiter can be up to 600 million miles away from Earth, the planet is considerably close by tonight.
According to Space.com, Jupiter will be 11% larger and more than one and a half times brighter than when it reached its furthest distance from Earth five years ago.
“This year’s views will be extraordinary,” NASA said.
“The views should be great for a few days before and after Sept. 26,” said Adam Kobelski, a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. “So, take advantage of good weather on either side of this date to take in the sight.”
Apart from the moon, Jupiter should be one of the brightest objects in the night sky, he said.
How to see Jupiter
Seeing the planet requires only a good pair of binoculars and a bit of planning. Head for a dark area, as far away as possible from city lights, which drown out celestial light. Beaches can be a decent spot for those near the coast, since little light comes from the ocean. Otherwise, find an open, rural area — state parks or large, open fields present great options.
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Dress warmer than you think you need to. Monday night will reach the mid-40s in parts of Massachusetts, and stargazing is not a quick endeavor. It can take half an hour for eyes to fully adjust to the dark.
Jupiter rises in the east around 6:37 p.m. in Boston, and not long after further west. Though that will be well before the sky is dark enough to see Jupiter, the planet will stay up throughout the night Monday, NASA said. Later in the night, a number of stargazing smartphone applications — SkySafari, Sky Guide, SkyView and Star Walk 2 among them — can help in locating Jupiter wherever it is in the sky.
For seeing some detail of the planet, binoculars can work wonders.
With a good pair of binoculars, stargazers can see at least the distinct central band on Jupiter and three of its four main moons, Kobelski said.
A telescope can do more for those who have one, revealing the planet’s bands in more detail and showing the Great Red Spot — an oval-shaped storm on Jupiter that is about the size of Earth.
If you don’t catch Jupiter Monday night, try again another night this week. The views should still be top notch several days later, Kobelski said.
If you miss Jupiter at opposition this year, the next chance to see this astronomical event will be on Nov. 3, 2023.
