What time should I look to the night sky to view the moon and Jupiter?
Time to Take in a Celestial Show
The night sky promises to offer an unforgettable celestial show tonight, as the Moon meets up with Jupiter. Onlookers can expect an evening of brilliance and beauty as the Moon moves over the gas giant, casting its light over the surface.
Where to Look
To make the most of the moment, first locate Jupiter in the night sky. The fifth planet from the Sun can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius. To help you find it, look for the teapot shape formed by four stars – with Jupiter found above and to the left of the teapot. The Moon will rise above the horizon near to Jupiter later in the evening, so the best time to observe the show will be after dark.
What to Look For
Onlookers can expect both the Moon and Jupiter to stand out in the night sky, due to their brightness and position. The Moon’s light will cast an eerie glow as it moves over Jupiter’s cloud-filled surface. Other notable details that can be seen include Jupiter’s four bright moons and the planet’s famous Great Red Spot – a storm system visible through even entry-level telescopes.
Equipment Needed
The good news is that you don’t need any fancy equipment to observe the show in the night sky. All you need is a clear view of the horizon and a willingness to spend some time outside. However, if you’re looking for a closer view, we recommend investing in a telescope. A small-to-medium sized telescope is best for beginners and will show details that the naked eye can not see.
A Celestial Spectacle Not to Be Missed
Tonight promises to provide a memorable evening for skygazers, so don’t miss out. With no equipment necessary, you have no excuse – so step outside after dark and take in a breathtaking view of the Moon meeting up with Jupiter.
Key Takeaways:
- Look for Jupiter in the constellation of Sagittarius
- The best time to observe the Moon and Jupiter is after dark
- No special equipment is needed to enjoy the show, although a telescope will provide a closer view
Tonight, those near the equator have a special treat in store, as the conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter will be visible in the evening sky.
This phenomenon occurs when two or more astronomical objects appear close together in the night sky. The Moon and Jupiter will be separated by only around 1.3 degrees during this event. That is just a fraction of the size of the full Moon and should be easily visible to the eye or a pair of binoculars.
The timing of the event depends on time zone, but in general for those in the northern hemisphere, the event will begin around sunset and will last until the early hours of the morning. While the Moon will be easy to spot, to the naked eye Jupiter will initially appear as a single bright star, looking pale against the bright host of stars in its surrounding area.
It’s an opportune time to dust off the telescope, as at higher magnifications the moons of Jupiter will be visible. Those with a telescope will be able to witness the brilliance of the fourth brightest planet in our solar system, the greatness of which can often be underestimated.
The two will seem to be in close proximity during the event, but in fact the two astronomical bodies are separated by a vast gulf of space. The Moon is around 359,000km away from us, whereas Jupiter is some 5.2 AU (astronomical units) away. To put that into perspective, that’s around 780 million kilometers from Earth.
This is a great opportunity for those of us who can’t make it out to a stargazing spot to marvel at some of the wonders of the night sky. So, if you don’t have any other plans, why not set up in the backyard and look to the sky? You won’t regret it.