Jupiter in opposition: the spectacular approach of the largest planet in the terrestrial solar system that allows you to see your moons without the need for telescopes

Jupiter "visits" back to Earth in the endless cycle of its orbit around the Sun.

The giant solar system giant will approach our planet in June and, according to NASA, it will be presented as a "star" very bright in the sky, much larger than what we usually see.

But that will not come alone: ​​Jupiter will approach such four of his moons also ssure visible without the need for a telescope, according to the US Space Agency.

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And are the largest satellites on the planet (the same one Galileo Galilei studied four centuries ago) can be seen with simple binoculars, which will also increase the visibility of Jupiter's atmosphere.

Scientists believe that the planet has 79 moons, 53 baptized and 26 waiting for official names.

When is the best time to see Jupiter?

According to NASA, the whole month of June will be a good time to see the largest of the planets in the solar system.

However, one of the best nights to observe it's this mondaywhen a phenomenon says opposition, in which Jupiter, the Earth and the Sun form an imaginary line (with our planet in the middle of both).

The next opposition will not take place until July 2020.

How can I locate Jupiter in the sky?

According to astronomers, during all the nights of this month (if they are cleared), it will be in the constellation of Oficuo and will be visible soon after sunset.

But if you do not know where Oficuo is, do not worry: you can locate the giant planet at the height of the horizon, at sunset.

Just look for stars that emit more light (after the moon): the brightest will be Venus, our neighboring planet (also called "morning star") and the other will be Jupiter.

Will other planets be seen?

In fact, with the passage of Jupiter, another "parade" of planets will begin in the summer sky (from the northern hemisphere, winter to the south).

Saturn, the "Lord of the Rings" will begin to be more visible at the end of June and the 9th of July to come your opposition will take place, with which the best time to observe it will come too.

Mars, the red planet, will also be visible in the west towards sunset, while Mercury will reach its maximum elongation to come. July 23, another perfect time to look west, a little above the horizon.

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