The ‘king of all the planets’ has been looking especially stunning lately, if you haven’t noticed. It’s been quite some time since anyone has seen the gas giant so radiant.
On this Monday, September 26, Jupiter will come the closest to Earth it’s been in 59 years – and the view is going to be magnificent. It’s not necessary to use a telescope, although it is helpful to have one.
It all comes down to a serendipitous mix of what is known as opposition, and the perfect perelion. Continue reading.
Twelve Earth years pass, give or take. JupiterDistance from the Sun shrinks down to 740,000,000 kilometers (about 460,000,000 mi). This allows those living in the city part of the Solar System to have a prime view at the enormous outer suburb planet. It looms larger in the evening sky than usual.
For those of us watching from Earth, the extra light Jupiter receives at the Sun’s closest approach isn’t usually a problem. We’re on our orbital paths, so we aren’t always in the same place.
We’re now in the area. (Sort of.)
Technically, the point at which Jupiter’s distance from the Sun is at its absolute shortest – known as its perihelion – won’t occur Up to the beginning of next year. Earth will soon be in its own infinite orbit, zipping around every corner.
Our closest annual passing by Jupiter is this week. This time of year is called opposition. It is the only time of year when a straight line from the Sun to Earth can be drawn to Jupiter.
Combining opposition with a perfect perihelion will give us a front-row seat to see Jupiter shine brightly. We might be a touch early for a perfect perihelion, but the last time Earth was this close to the giant – just 590 million kilometers away – it October 1963Bobby Vinton was the top-charting artist with Blue Velvet.
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Were we any closer to Jupiter than that? Perhaps just a little. Although Jupiter’s orbit appears to be remarkably circular, Earth is not.
Our planet is at its furthest distance from Sun in the middle of each year, approximately. 152 million kilometers. We are a fraction over right now. 150 million kilometers away, due to arrive at our own perihelion – a distance of about 147 kilometers – January 1st, 2008.
These astronomical distances are quite insignificant in the grand scheme. Expect no more floods, earthquakes or meteorites than normal.
If you want to see some beautiful cosmic beauty as you start your evening, then look towards the eastern horizon after the Sun sets. You will see a bright, shining star.
Jupiter will be apparent Amount of -2.9According to EarthSky.com it will be the brightest object in the night sky. The full moon’s apparent magnitude is approximately -12.5.
Before you go, grab a pair of binoculars or a telescope. Say hi to the King.
