Stargazers are looking forward to having a glimpse of planet Jupiter as it is all set to make the closest approach to Earth on September 26. Sources said that the giant planet will make a closest approach to Earth in 70 years tomorrow.
The phenomenon means that the Jupiter will be on the opposite side of Earth as compared to the Sun from the viewpoint of an observer on Earth.
The stargazers can expect an excellent view when the giant planet reaches opposition as per the NASA. The american space agency says opposition happens when an astronomical object rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west, placing the object and the Sun on opposite sides of Earth.
Jupiter’s opposition occurs every 13 months, making the planet appear larger and brighter than any other time of the year.
"At its closest approach, Jupiter will be approximately 367 million miles in distance from Earth, about the same distance it was in 1963. The massive planet is approximately 600 million miles away from Earth at its farthest point," said NASA in its blog post.
Subhendu Patnaik, the Deputy Director of Pathani Samanta planetarium in Bhubaneswar said, "This time, Jupiter will be closet (tomorrow)."
According to Patnaik, people can view this through telescope at the planetarium. "But there is forecast for cloudy weather and it might turn a spoil sport for many."
However, those who do not have a telescope or binoculars, they can also watch through naked eyes as the planet will clearly be visible, said the Deputy Director of Pathani Samanta Planetarium.