How to watch Jupiter as it makes closest approach to Earth since 1963
How to watch Jupiter as it makes closest approach to Earth since 1963
Jupiter, the largest planet in the Solar System, is set to be closest to Earth in 59 years on September 26.
Jupiter, the largest planet in the Solar System, is set to be closest to Earth in 59 years on September 26.
Source: Twitter
It will be particularly visible and will coincide with another celestial event called opposition, which happens every 13 months.
It will be particularly visible and will coincide with another celestial event called opposition, which happens every 13 months.
Source: Twitter
That means Earth will be directly between Jupiter and the Sun, appearing at their biggest and brightest.
That means Earth will be directly between Jupiter and the Sun, appearing at their biggest and brightest.
You can watch the planet's bands with a pair of binoculars or a telescope.
You can watch the planet's bands with a pair of binoculars or a telescope.
This is the first time since 1963 that Jupiter is this close to the Earth, a distance of about 367 million miles.
This is the first time since 1963 that Jupiter is this close to the Earth, a distance of about 367 million miles.
According to NASA scientists, at its farthest, Jupiter is 600 million miles away from the Earth.
According to NASA scientists, at its farthest, Jupiter is 600 million miles away from the Earth.
Neither the Earth nor Jupiter orbits the Sun in a perfect circle, making each opposition a slightly different distance.
Neither the Earth nor Jupiter orbits the Sun in a perfect circle, making each opposition a slightly different distance.
The next time Jupiter will come this close to the Earth will be in 2129.
The next time Jupiter will come this close to the Earth will be in 2129.
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