Jupiter is coming its closest to Earth in decades Lights out on Monday....

[rudolfo]

The gas giant Jupiter is coming the closest it has come to Earth in 59 years this Monday September 26 and will be particularly visible because it coincides with another event called opposition.

When in opposition, a planet is on the opposite side of Earth from the sun, so you could draw a straight line from the sun to Earth to Jupiter, all in alignment. Jupiter's opposition happens every 13 months. Looking from the Earth, when the sun sets in the west, Jupiter will rise in the east, directly opposite. During opposition, planets appear at their biggest and brightest.

Separately, Jupiter is coming closer to Earth than it has since 1963. Because of Earth's and Jupiter's differing orbits around the sun, they don't pass each other at the same distance each time. When it's closest on Monday, Jupiter will be about 367 million miles from Earth...

 

[Hyperion]

Very interesting - thank you.

 

[Mystic]

Let's hope it's not lights out on Monday. I got stuff t'do what requires light.

 

[rudolfo]

In the pacific northwest it'll be 87 degrees on daytime so its a big chance it'll be clear skies at night. They said you might be able to see it with the naked eyes. Better grab any binocular.. This is gonna be fun.

 

[Sharpstik]

I’ll take a look

 

[cubby01]

In the pacific northwest it'll be 87 degrees on daytime so its a big chance it'll be clear skies at night. They said you might be able to see it with the naked eyes. Better grab any binocular.. This is gonna be fun.

Jupiter (and Saturn) is commonly visible with naked eye. Steady binocs will let you see some details and worth the look see.

 

[joecoulson]

Time to get this out:

 

[rudolfo]

Jupiter (and Saturn) is commonly visible with naked eye. Steady binocs will let you see some details and worth the look see.

That's kind of what I heard. Saturn may show up too.

 

[rudolfo]

So far I encountered events at my house. The last 2017 Solar eclipse in the pacific northwest passed right through my house. All of a sudden its cold mist rolling, sunshade like you're looking at a 3 dimensional view and I heard school of crickets and yipping coyotes....
Followed in months by the meteor show. Its like the sky was shooting mini fireballs.

 

[YY1]

I have been noticing a bright light almost due East on my morning commute.

Gotta be it.

Sure wish I'd had a camera attachment for my cheap 4 inch telescope when I saw Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact the big red planet a few decades ago.
Surprisingly good imagery considering the equiment.

 

[rudolfo]

I was looking at it last night around 10:20 pm which is located more in the east / south at 4 '0 clock position. The biggest shining object. Cant miss it.

 

[highvoltage_]

I have been noticing a bright light almost due East on my morning commute.

That's called the sun.

 

[Omegaman]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll have a look


Is Jupiter flat like the Earth?

I saw me a video on the innerwebs...

 

[rudolfo]

if there's an observatory close to you, I suggest you might want to call them and see if they're going to put out some of their telescopes for public so you can experience the event.

 

[joecoulson]

If your in GA and want, I can share mine
Meade lx200 12” SCT with 2” Televue eyepieces.

 

[tybrad]

Thank you for posting. I have been looking forward to witnessing for a while- I show up for all of-note celestial events unless weather prevents it.

 

[lini]

Is Jupiter flat like the Earth?

No. Instead it's shaped like a giant pyramid - that's because Jupiter himself likes to sit at the top, with the lesser gods on the steps beneath.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[rudolfo]

when I put in my binoculars, it seems like there are moons around jupiter. Its not a strong binocular but am I seeing it correctly?

 

[Hyperion]

when I put in my binoculars, it seems like there are moons around jupiter. Its not a strong binocular but am I seeing it correctly?

Yes, I think so, the four largest of Jupiter's moons are big enough to be visible with good binoculars (and eyesight), and they become a glorious sight with even a very modest 3" refracting telescope, especially when all four are in view. The names of the four largest moons are Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto,

Remember that as they orbit their host, fewer than four moons might be visible at any one time due their orbits bringing them in front of, or going behind the brighter disk of Jupiter itself.

 

[onepixel]

Jupiter and it's moons tonight. I need a longer lens.