Jupiter came to the point of confrontation with the annual Earth – Express-News

08.03

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This past Jupiter at night, the biggest planet in the solar system, is located exactly opposite the Sun relative to the Earth. Astronomers call such an arrangement of planets confrontation. In this situation, Jupiter and Earth are at a minimum distance from each other, in connection with which the luminosity of the giant planet is markedly increased in this period.

Since Jupiter and the Sun are on opposite sides in relation to the Earth, its It can be seen for a long time. Jupiter, like our moon appears in the sky just after sunset, and within 12 hours of the planet can be seen up to that point, as Venus did not overshadow her with its brilliance (Venus – the brightest celestial body to an observer after the Sun and the Moon) <. /> p>

At this astronomical time interval, this situation occurs every 13 months. For example, past the confrontation was observed on 9 February and the next can be seen April 9, 2017.

It should be noted that the autumn and spring confrontation most comfortable for observation, because in these months tilt the Earth’s axis is not difficult to Jupiter visibility (planet moves high above the horizon)

the opposition is interesting by the fact that during this period can be even a small amateur telescope to observe the four large moons of Jupiter, and even see the features of the atmosphere of a giant planet:. twists and red spot .

currently, Jupiter is to be found in the constellation Leo, and after August 8 -. in the constellation Virgo

Since the distance between the Earth and the gas giants in different parts of uneven, so it is possible emergence as close as possible confrontations. They are called the Great and occur once in twelve years. Last Great confrontation observed September 10, 2010, and the next – September 26, 2022

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