Another amazing sky event is set to happen today (Tuesday), when the solar system’s biggest planet Jupiter can be seen in the skies along with its four largest moons.
Our largest planet Jupiter will be exactly opposite to the sun and can be seen at its brightest on tonight. The planet will rise in the sky after sunset and can be seen all night. The planet will be shining so brightly that sky-gazers can even see it and its four largest moons with naked eye despite the weather.
As per TimeandDate, the sunset will occur at 7:50pm EDT on Tuesday. A few minutes earlier from the sunset, Jupiter will rise at around 7:48pm EDT but won’t be visible instantly because of the bright twilight sky. After the sky is dark, Jupiter will rise above the horizon and will glide across the sky before finally setting at 5:58am EDT on May 9, around time of sunrise.
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The gas giant’s closest approach to Earth will happen two days after the opposition on May 10. Even in today’s opposition, regardless of being visible with naked eye, with a small telescope, mesmerizing cloud bands in Jupiter's atmosphere can be seen along with its four largest moons that will appear as tiny, bright dots that change their position after every few hours or days.
As Space.com explains, this Jupiter’s position in the sky is termed as ‘opposition’ that occurs when two astronomical objects are on opposite side as viewed from Earth, generally when a planet is in opposition to the sun. In this case, Earth will be in the middle of sun and Jupiter, which means Jupiter will be opposite sun.
Moreover, as per AccuWeather, there are some other cosmic events too soon to happen including one on May 17 when Venus will appear beside the setting moon. Then on June 27 when Saturn will reach opposition and can be seen from naked eye, with a good telescope, its mesmerizing rings can also be seen. A month later, Mars will make its closet approach to sun and will appear brighter than it has in over a decade.