Jupiter Makes Its Closest Approach To Earth In 59 Years. WATCH Live

Jupiter is at its closest to Earth in the last 59 years tonight. When Jupiter is in opposition, it appears larger and brighter than any time of the year.

Jupiter is at its closest to Earth in the last 59 years tonight. At the same time, the gas giant has reached opposition. As a result, stargazers can enjoy excellent views of Jupiter. An opposition with respect to Earth is a phenomenon in which an astronomical object rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west, placing the object and the Sun on the opposite sides of Earth. When Jupiter is in opposition, it appears larger and brighter than any time of the year. The gas giant's opposition occurs every 13 months. 

How To Watch Jupiter Tonight

The world can watch Jupiter at its closest approach to Earth in the last 59 years online. A YouTube channel called SpaceTV+ is broadcasting the celestial event. One can watch the livestream on YouTube or by clicking on the embedded video below.

In a statement released by NASA, Adam Kobelski, a research astrophysicist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said with good binoculars, the banding and three or four of the Galilean satellites (moons) should be visible. He added that Galileo observed these moons with 17th century optics, and one of the key needs will be a stable mount for whatever system is used. 

In order to see Jupiter's Great Red Spot and bands in more detail, one needs a larger telescope, Kobelski said. 

These features can be viewed clearly with the help of a 4-inch or larger telescope, and some filters in the green to blue range, he further said. 

An ideal location to view Jupiter will be at a high elevation in a dark and dry area, according to Kobelski.

He also said that the views should be great for a few days after September 26, so, one should take advantage of good weather on either side of the date to take in the sight. 

Kobelski said that outside of the Moon, Jupiter should be one of the brightest objects in the night sky.

Why Is Jupiter’s Opposition On September 26 Special?

Jupiter's opposition on Monday, September 26 is special because the gas giant made its closest approach to Earth in the last 59 years. 

According to NASA, the reason behind this phenomenon is that Earth and Jupiter do not orbit the Sun in perfect circles. As a result, the planets pass each other at different distances throughout the year. 

Since Jupiter's closest approach to Earth rarely coincides with opposition, this year's views of the gas giant will be extraordinary. 

Jupiter, at its closest approach, is approximately 588 million kilometres in distance from Earth. Jupiter is approximately 966 million kilometres away from Earth at its farthest point. 

What Are Galilean Moons?

Scientists have named 53 Julian moons. However, they believe that 79 moons have been detected in total. 

Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are Jupiter's four largest moons, and are known as the Galilean satellites. Named after Galileo Galilei, who first observed them in 1610, the Galilean satellites should appear as bright dots on either side of Jupiter during opposition, in binoculars or a telescope.