The planet Jupiter will be at opposition (directly opposite the Sun) slightly before 9.30 pm GMT on Friday 7 April 2017. This means that it will both
be at its closest to the Earth this year, about 4.45 AU (4.5 times the
average distance between the Earth and the Sun, or about 666 400 000
km), and completely illuminated by the Sun. While it is not obvious to
the naked eye observer, the planets have phases just like those of the
Moon; being further from the Sun than the Earth, Jupiter is 'full' when
directly opposite the Sun.
The relative positions of the Earth, Sun and Jupiter on 7 April 2017. When the curves line up.
While the relative positions of the planets have no direct influence on
life on Earth, the opposition of Jupiter does present the best
opportunity for observations of the planet by Earth-based observers. On Friday 7 April Jupiter will appear as a bright object in the
constellation of Virgo, appearing at about sunset in the southeast in the
Northern Hemisphere and the northeast in the Southern Hemisphere. Seen
through a moderate sized telescope both the planet and its larger moons should
be visible, though it will be fairly close to the Moon, which will impair viewing slightly.
The relative position of Jupiter and the Moon on 10 April 2017. Beckstrom Observatory.
See also...
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