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That bright, yellow-tinged point of light that is visible in the eastern sky after dusk is Jupiter. It just passed opposition with the Earth on September 26th. This just happens to coincide with the planet's perigee, bringing it closer to the Earth than it has been since 1963. It's a great time to observe the planet, if you have a telescope or binoculars.
Wherever you happen to be, the best way to see Jupiter in opposition will be with binoculars or a telescope from a dark and dry area with high elevation. Good binoculars should be enough to see the banding across the center of the gas giant and even some of its larger moons. Viewing with a large telescope should allow the planet’s ‘Great Red Spot—a storm so wide it could swallow two Earths side-by-side.
Yep, it's amazing. I need a new "grab and go" telescope because the one I have is too heavy. Each year I get older, I can't carry that thing. Need a grab and go with enough power and just leave in the garage!
A good point & shoot camera with a good zoom lens captures the planet and several moons. Check on different nights and the moons are arrayed in different positions. In my camera Jupiter is a white disk - no color detail.
Yep, it's amazing. I need a new "grab and go" telescope because the one I have is too heavy. Each year I get older, I can't carry that thing. Need a grab and go with enough power and just leave in the garage!
Why would you need a telescope when many binoculars today are even more powerful than Galileo's 1st telescope. I rather bring my binocular with me and it can easily see the 4 moons of Jupitar and many disc based galaxies.
That bright, yellow-tinged point of light that is visible in the eastern sky after dusk is Jupiter. It just passed opposition with the Earth on September 26th. This just happens to coincide with the planet's perigee, bringing it closer to the Earth than it has been since 1963. It's a great time to observe the planet, if you have a telescope or binoculars.
I am roughly 37 N Latitude, and have been observing a very bright object, roughly 25 degrees S of straight overhead, around 3AM to 5AM. (Until recently, it was hidden, by trees, from my observation post.)
I thought, at first, I was seeing Venus, but realized it was too high.
Yes, it's probably Jupiter. Venus is nearing conjunction, so it rises later.
I can usually tell the planets by their colors; Venus is more white while Jupiter is somewhat yellowish.
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