Jupiter is set to make its closest approach to Earth in the past 70 years and on September 26, when the giant planet approaches opposition, stargazers can expect an excellent view.
From the point of view of Earth’s surface, opposition occurs when a celestial object rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west, placing the object and the Sun on opposite sides of Earth.
Jupiter’s opposition occurs every 13 months, making the planet appear larger and brighter than at any other time of the year. but that’s not all.
“Jupiter’s closest approach to Earth rarely coincides with opposition, meaning this year’s views will be extraordinary,” NASA said in a statement Friday.
At its closest approach, Jupiter will be at a distance of about 365 million miles from Earth.
The planet is about 600 million miles from Earth at its farthest point.
“With good binoculars, the banding (at least the central band) and three or four Galilean satellites (the moons) should be visible,” said Adam Kobelsky, a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
“It is important to remember that Galileo observed these moons with 17th-century optics. One of the major needs would be a stable mount for any system you use,” he said.
Kobelsky recommends a large telescope to see Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and bands in more detail—a four-inch or larger telescope and some filters in the green to blue range will enhance the visibility of these features.
According to Kobelsky, an ideal viewing location would be at a high altitude in a dark and dry area.
Jupiter has 53 named moons, but scientists believe a total of 79 have been detected.
The four largest moons – Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto – are called Galilean satellites.
NASA’s Juno spacecraft, which has been orbiting Jupiter for six years, is dedicated to exploring the planet’s surface and its moons.
Scientists believe that studying Jupiter could lead to important discoveries about the formation of the Solar System.
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