See Jupiter shine during its closest approach to Earth since 1963 on Monday (Sept. 26)

On Monday, Sept. 26, Jupiter will be directly opposite of the sun. Skywatchers can see the largest planet in the solar system in amazing detail during an event called opposition.

The opposition Jupiter is when Earth and the sun align in such a manner that both planets are on one side of the star. Earth sits between these two huge bodies. As the gas giant reaches opposition while rising from the east at the same time the sun sets in the west, it will also be at its closest approach to Earth ,  known as perigee. Jupiter will be 367 million miles away from Earth due to this closest approach. This is the closest Jupiter has been to Earth since 1963.

The opposition planet will be visible during the night in the Pisces constellation. It will rise when the sun sets, and then disappear when it rises. A webcast of Jupiter at Opposition can be viewed online on Tuesday, September 27th at 4:30 p.m. ET (2030 GMT). This is thanks to the Virtual Telescope project (opens new tab).

Related:Jupiter has been closest to Earth for 59 years, NASA reports

According to In-The Sky.org (opens new tab), Jupiter is visible overnight from New York between 7 p.m. EDT (2333 GMT), Sept. 26, and 6:08 a.m. (1008 GMT), Tuesday (Sept. 27). The planet will appear from an altitude of 7 degrees above the eastern horizon moving to 49 degrees above the southern horizon (its highest point )  at 12:51 a.m. EDT (0451 GMT) on Tuesday (Sept. 27) morning before sinking below the western horizon. The Gothamist has some tips for skywatchers in New York City on how to see the planet from NYC (opens new tab). 

No matter where you are, the best way for Jupiter to be seen in opposition is with binoculars. A pair of good binoculars should be able to see the banding in the center of the gas giant, as well as 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. 

Although they occur on similar timescales, Jupiter's opposition is rare to coincide with its perigee, making it a rare opportunity to see the massive planet. Jupiter moves in opposition approximately every 13 months, when it is brighter and larger than usual. 

Earth orbits the sun for 365 days, but Jupiter is closest to it once every 12 months. Jupiter's orbit around Jupiter takes 12 months. 

Although the distance of more than 350 million miles between Earth's surface and the gas giant may seem very close, the largest distance between our planet's surface and Jupiter is approximately 600 million miles (960,000,000 km).

Jupiter is approximately 484 million miles (778 km) from the sun. This distance is more than five times the distance between Earth and the star. This massive distance from the sun means that Jupiter’s close approach will only make a small difference to its size in the night sky.

If Jupiter is not at opposition this year you will have another chance to see it on Nov. 3, 2023. 

Whether you're new to skywatching or have been it at for years, be sure not to miss our guides for the best binoculars and the best telescopes to spot Jupiter and other celestial wonders. For capturing the best Jupiter pictures you can, check out our recommendations for the best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography. 

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of Jupiter at opposition and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.