Jupiter is about to come so close to planet Earth, all you’ll need to view the majestic Gas Giant is a pair of binoculars.
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According to NASA, Jupiter "is at its biggest and brightest this month" and will be most visible to the naked eye on Monday, June 10, when it reaches opposition, a yearly occurrence when Jupiter, Earth and the sun fall into a straight line with our blue-and-green sphere right in the middle.
The arrangement makes it the best time of the year for earthlings to view Jupiter in the night sky. While opposition takes place on a specific date, you have all month to get a good glimpse of the planet and its four largest moons.
But there’s more to the month of June for eager stargazers.
From June 14-19, you can see a “beautiful line-up” of the moon, Jupiter and Saturn as the moon orbits our planet.
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“While you're out marveling this trio, there's a really neat astronomy observation you can attempt yourself, just by paying attention to the Moon's movement from night to night,” the agency stated on its website.
Some viewing tips:
- Folks living in the southern hemisphere will get the best views, though people all over the world will certainly be able to enjoy the spectacle.
- Grab a pair of binoculars or a small telescope for optimal viewing.
- Find an area well away from city or street lights for prime darkness.
- Take a look at what NASA's Juno spacecraft, currently orbiting Jupiter, is picking up.
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