If you used to watch the sky following dark, you’ve probably noticed a bright star in the east in the evening recently.
This is not actually a star, not Venus, which is often one of the most visible planets in the night sky, but Jupiter, the largest planet in the cosmic neighborhood, which is brighter as it approaches us than at any time in the past seven decades.
The huge gas giant is scheduled to reach the so-called “Al-Muqabala” on September 26, which is the time when the planet will be opposite the Sun in the sky. This is why Jupiter grows increasingly visible shortly following sunset.
Al-Muqabala is a term used in astronomy that refers to the presence of two celestial bodies opposite each other when observed from a specific location, which is often the Earth.
The interview is the best time to see and photograph Jupiter, as the planet will be directly facing the sun in the sky.
Since the orbits are not perfectly circular, the distance between the planets can vary from opposite to opposite (Earth’s encounter with Jupiter occurs approximately every 13 months), but this encounter event is likely to be the closest between Earth and the gas giant in at least 70 years.
Therefore, this may be the opportunity of a lifetime to get a good view of the buyer.
As of now, Jupiter is already the brightest celestial body in the night sky far from the moon. It is very easy to discover. Just head outside a few hours following sunset, look at the appropriate eastern horizon, and start looking up for the brightest object that doesn’t seem to twinkle like other stars.
This might also be a great opportunity to practice with any level of telescope or binoculars you may have handy to see if you can get a more detailed view and maybe even locate a few of Jupiter’s largest moons.
The “encounter” event will peak on September 26, when Jupiter is technically at its closest, and will be noticeably brighter to the naked eye. What will happen on that evening, is that the planet will rise very close to the setting sun and then set very close to sunrise.
(Russia Today)