Jupiter, which is the largest planet in the solar system, will make its closest approach to Earth in 70 years on September 26, NASA said in a blog post.
“Stargazers can expect excellent views of Jupiter throughout the night of Monday, September 26, when the giant planet reaches opposition,” he said.
According to NASA, from the point of view of Earth’s surface, opposition occurs when an astronomical object rises in the east while the Sun sets in the west, placing the object and the Sun in opposite sides of the Earth.
Jupiter’s opposition occurs every 13 months, making the planet appear bigger and brighter than at any other time of the year.
“But this is not all. Jupiter will also make its closest approach to Earth in 70 years,” NASA said.
He also said that Jupiter’s closest approach to Earth rarely coincides with opposition, as the two planets do not orbit the Sun in perfect circles, meaning the planets will cross at different distances in the throughout the year
According to NASA, Jupiter will be approximately 365 million miles away from Earth. At its farthest point, the planet is about 600 million miles from Earth.
According to Adam Kobelski, a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., with good binoculars, the bands (at least the central band) and three or four of the Galilean satellites (moons) should be visible.
Kobelski recommends a larger telescope to see Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and bands in more detail; a 4 inch or larger telescope and some filters in the green to blue range would improve the visibility of these features.
According to Kobelski, an ideal viewing location will be at a high elevation in a dark, dry area.
“Views should be excellent for several days before and after Sept. 26,” Kobelski said. “So, take advantage of the good weather either side of this date to take in the view. Outside of the Moon, it should be one of (if not the) brightest objects in the night sky,” he said.
Jupiter has 53 named moons, but scientists believe 79 moons have been detected in total. The four largest moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, are called Galilean satellites. They are named after the man who first observed them in 1610, Galileo Galilei.
NASA’s Juno spacecraft has been orbiting Jupiter for six years, dedicated to exploring the surface of the planet and its moons. Juno’s mission was recently extended until 2025 or the end of the spacecraft’s life.
Scientists believe that the study of Jupiter can lead to breakthrough discoveries about the formation of the solar system.
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