BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Brad Klein reviews upcoming astronomical highlights with Bethlehem’s "Backyard Astronomy Guy," Marty McGuire.
This week, the planet Jupiter will be at its brightest, as it reaches "opposition" to the Earth on Jan. 10.
Just as the moon is seen at its brightest when it is opposite from the sun as seen from Earth, the outer planets also grow brighter and dimmer depending upon their "phase" as seen from Earth, and their distance from our home planet. At "opposition," Jupiter will be directly opposite the sun, and its full, illuminated face will face the dark portion of the Earth.
It’s also at its closest approach to our planet, although still over 300-million miles away.
All this winter, the gas giant will be among the most conspicuous objects in the night sky. That’s because it is visible all night, and brighter in the night sky than the brightest star.