When is jupiter closest to earth 2017

Summary of key facts about Jupiter [tip: you can also create a Quick Access page for this data if you access it frequently and would like to have a simpler view]:. If you need to access this information frequently for your observations, you can create a simple customized Quick Access page , so that you can easily bookmark it in your browser favorites or add a shortcut to your mobile phones' home screen.

Below we provide Jupiter finder charts showing where the object is right now in the sky with respect to the brightest stars. The first finder chart has a field of view of 50 degrees, while the second one has a field of view of 10 degrees. Click on each finder chart to access a full screen interactive Online Planetarium.

Higher precision deep sky finder chart, 60 arcmin wide, showing where Jupiter is right now. Click on the image to see a more detailed fullscreen tracker view. Also check out Where is Jupiter? The distance of Jupiter from Earth is currently ,, kilometers, equivalent to 4.

Light takes 40 minutes and The following chart shows the distance of Jupiter from Earth as a function of time. In the chart the distance data is measured in Astronomical Units and sampled with an interval of 1 day. The value of the reported distance might be somewhat inaccurate around the times of closest approach for objects passing extremely close to Earth.

The value of the distance of Jupiter from Earth is also available as a real time updated value in the Live Position and Data Tracker. For those who can see the conjunction, however, both planets will be close enough that a wide-field pair of binoculars — as well as some small telescopes and telephoto lenses — should catch them in the same field. There are some other planetary conjunctions coming up as well. For example, on Nov. Mercury reaches conjunction with Saturn once again on Dec.

And on Christmas Day, Venus will be about 1 degree away from Saturn. Editor's note: If you take an amazing photo of Venus and Jupiter, or any other night-sky sight, that you'd like to share with Space.

You can follow Space. Originally published on Space. Jupiter pays its closest visit to Earth for the year on Friday. Show Caption. Hide Caption. Hubble observes Jupiter at opposition. Share your feedback to help improve our site! Last chance to join our Costa Rica Star Party! Learn about the Moon in a great new book New book chronicles the space program.

Dave's Universe Year of Pluto. Groups Why Join? Astronomy Day. The Complete Star Atlas. Jupiter shines brightly above the Milky Way just a few weeks after reaching opposition in June This month, Jupiter makes its closest and brightest approach of the year. At p. EDT on Aug. In other words, Jupiter will reach opposition.

As seen from mid-northern latitudes, Jupiter will culminate, or reach its highest point in the sky, around 1 a. In fact, it will help by reducing glare, which creates a more pleasant view of the planet. This night could be an optimal time for you to seek out something special.

The question is, what should you look for? Note the intense orange color of the spot. A giant anticyclone, the Great Red Spot measures roughly 10, miles 16, km across and some to miles to km deep.

Careful observations during the most pristine moments of steady atmospheric seeing, however, reveal even finer details. These include bright and dark spots, looping festoons, and other shapes that, despite their solid appearance, are in a state of perpetual change.

Such shapeshifting is a result of powerful jet streams whipping both west to east prograde; in the direction of rotation and east to west retrograde; opposite the direction of rotation across the planet.

Trying to predict when such events might occur is a bit like forecasting storms on Earth, where one analyzes historical and current trends to attempt to presage future activity. Some of these events were obvious enough to be spied through a 3-inch refractor at x. Given that the GRS had been shrinking in size at an accelerated rate since , concerns arose that the flaking episodes signaled its demise was near.

South is up, although the angle of this shot is deceiving. However, this may not be the case.