‘Extraordinary’ views expected as Jupiter gets closer to us than it’s been in 59 years

Jupiter is going to be closer to Earth than it’s been in nearly six decades — and experts are expecting great views.

Jupiter will reach its closest approach to Earth since 1963 on Monday, Sept. 26, NASA said. The planet will spend the night at opposition, which is when astronomical objects rise in the east and sit opposite the sun.

“Jupiter’s opposition occurs every 13 months, making the planet appear larger and brighter than any other time of the year,” NASA experts said in a news release.

This year, however, the view will be extra special, NASA said. Because Jupiter and Earth orbit the sun in ellipses and not perfect circles, the planets pass each other at different distances at different times.

It’s rare that Jupiter’s closest approach to Earth happens at the same time as its opposition, NASA said.

“This year’s views will be extraordinary,” NASA said. “At its closest approach, Jupiter will be approximately 367 million miles in distance from Earth, about the same distance it was in 1963.”

Experts said skygazers should be able to see Jupiter’s banding and four of the planet’s moons with binoculars. It’s also possible to see Jupiter’s Great Red Spot with a larger telescope.

Skywatchers will have the best chance to see Jupiter’s features at high elevation in a dark or dry area, NASA said.

“The views should be great for a few days before and after Sept. 26,” Adam Kobelski, a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, said in the news release. “So, take advantage of good weather on either side of this date to take in the sight. Outside of the Moon, it should be one of the (if not the) brightest objects in the night sky.”