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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Reanna Smith

How and when to see Jupiter in opposition as planet is closest and brightest in 59 years

Tonight's sky is set to offer some spectacular sights as Jupiter makes its closest approach to the Earth in 59 years.

The gas giant will be the biggest and brightest it has been in decades as it comes into opposition.

The brightest planet in the night sky is usually Venus, but stargazers may have already spotted that Jupiter, which is the largest planet in our solar system, has taken its spot recently.

The planet has been getting brighter in recent days but will reach peak brightness this evening, and it's likely the last time in our lifetimes that it will get so close to us again.

According to NASA, Jupiter is around 367 million miles from the Earth today, the closest the planet has been since 1963.

Here's how you can spot it from the UK and when the best time to see it is.

What does it mean when Jupiter is in opposition?

Jupiter is in opposition around once every 13 months (PA Graphics/Press Association Images)

Jupiter will appear particularly bright tonight due to an event called the Jupiter opposition.

Jupiter being in opposition simply means that Earth is positioned directly between the Sun and Jupiter, so all three celestial bodies align.

An opposition is usually the best time to photograph a planet due to its alignment being directly opposite the sun.

A Jupiter opposition happens around every 13 months, however this year's opposition is the closest that Jupiter has been to the earn in 59 years and it won't get this close to the Earth again for another 107 years.

How to see Jupiter from the UK

Jupiter will be visible to the naked eye (NASA/ESA et. al)

Jupiter will be at its brightest in the UK tonight and you'll be able to spot it from sunset onwards.

According to timeanddate, sunset today will be at around 18:49pm.

You wont need a telescope to see Jupiter, as the planet is so bright that it is visible to the naked eye.

To see Jupiter you'll simply need to keep your eyes peeled towards the Eastern horizon this evening.

Jupiter should be easy to spot as it will be the brightest object in the sky aside from the moon.

Experts have said that views of Jupiter will also be great for a few days after today as the planet remains close to Earth.

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