"Emirates Astronomy": Jupiter will meet the sun and approach Earth tomorrow
Sharjah, December 6 / WAM / The Emirates Astronomical Society said that the countries of the world will witness tomorrow (Saturday) an astronomical phenomenon known as “conjunction”, where the planet Jupiter takes a position in which it is parallel to the sun and the Earth on one celestial line.
This phenomenon is similar to the full moon phenomenon, where the Sun illuminates the side of Jupiter opposite the Earth by approximately 100%.
Jupiter will also be at its closest distance from Earth, which is estimated at about 640 million kilometers. Therefore, these days are the best throughout the year to monitor Jupiter and see it with the naked eye throughout the night as a sparkling celestial body.
Viewing the planet will be more enjoyable by using magnification means such as binoculars or photographic cameras equipped with high-magnification lenses, allowing the view of the four famous moons of Jupiter known as the Galilean moons: Europa, Callisto, Io, and Ganymede.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomy Society and member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, pointed out that because Jupiter is in opposition, it will be possible to see it throughout the night, as it will rise from the eastern horizon of the sky in conjunction with sunset, and at midnight it will reach a destination. The south will be seen at its highest altitude and will set on the western horizon in the morning before sunrise.
The phenomenon of opposition occurs with respect to Jupiter once every approximately 13 months, which is the period it takes for the Earth to revolve once around the sun with respect to Jupiter.
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