How to watch Jupiter's closest encounter with Earth in 70 year
How to watch Jupiter's closest encounter with Earth in 70 year
Stargazers are in ecstasy for a treat as Jupiter is approaching the closest it’s ever been to the Earth in decades.
Over the past few days, Jupiter has grown increasingly visible not long after sunset.
This is because the planet is approaching an ‘opposition’ with the Earth on September 26 at approximately 6.50pm in the UK
'Opposition' just means that Jupiter is pretty much opposite the sun in the sky
During this time, the Jupiter will be approximately 590 million kilometres away from the Earth. At its farthest, Jupiter is approximately 965 million kilometres away from our planet.
During opposition, Jupiter will appear at its largest and brightest and will remain above the horizon for much of the night
During opposition, Jupiter will appear at its largest and brightest and will remain above the horizon for much of the night
To witness this, you have to look at east during sunset. Closer to midnight, it'll be almost directly overheard. But if you're looking at it earlier in the morning, you need to be facing west
You don't need any equipment to witness this phenomenon. You can see this in your naked eyes.