Jupiter Opposition: Powerful gas giant planets will look like “bright stars” in the sky

Lanet-hunters may want to remove dust from their binoculars and telescopes because Jupiter A dazzling performance will be staged in the night sky.

On the night of Thursday, August 19, this huge gas giant planet will appear to the naked eye as “a bright star, although it will not twinkle like a star.”

This is because Jupiter will be in a “hedging” state, which means that as Earth Pass between Sun And Jupiter, this planet will appear on the opposite side of the sun.

Brian Lanigan, astronomer Royal Observatory Greenwich Say: “When a planet opposes, it is on the other side of the earth and the sun-if you look down at the solar system from above and draw a line from Jupiter to the sun, when Jupiter opposes, it will pass through the earth.

“This does not necessarily mean that the planet is located at the closest point to the Earth-due to the elliptical nature of the planet’s orbit, this may happen within a day or two.”

Ms. Lanigan added that planets are usually in opposition for a short period of time, but during that period, they are visible to the naked eye.

She told PA News Agency: “On the days before and after the opposition on the 19th, Jupiter should be visible low above the southeast horizon from sunset, but if the planet hunter waits a few hours after sunset, it will rise a little higher. – Approximately 20-25 degrees in height – so it’s easier to spot.”

Jupiter’s opposition occurs a few days before the full moon, which is August 22.

Ms. Lanigan added: “Although the sky will not be completely dark, the moon will not interfere too much with the astrophotographer’s vision.”

At the same time, those who are looking for Jupiter in the night sky may also catch a glimpse of Saturn.

Ed Bloomer, also an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told PA: “Both planets are quite low on the horizon, so when looking in that direction, try to find an observation point without tall buildings or trees.

“Another advantage is that compared to planets, the first quarter moon has swept eastward in these few days.