Jupiter Reaches Closest Point To Earth: How To Watch In Virginia, DC

VIRGINIA — Stargazers in Northern Virginia and DC should be able to catch a stunning glimpse of the planet Jupiter on Monday as the gas giant reaches opposition and its closest point to Earth in nearly six decades.

According to NASA, the two astronomical phenomena will combine on Sept. 26 to offer sky watchers an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime view of the solar system’s largest planet.

Jupiter’s opposition happens once every 13 months. Opposition is how long it takes Earth to travel once around the sun relative to Jupiter, according to EarthSky.org. When opposition takes place, Jupiter will rise in the east as the sun sets in the west, placing the planet and sun on opposite sides of Earth.

Also, since planets don’t orbit the sun in perfect circles and tend to pass each other at different distances throughout the year, Sept. 26 also marks Jupiter’s closest approach to Earth in 59 years, according to NASA.

Consult the Old Farmer’s Almanac to figure out precisely when Jupiter will rise and set near you on Monday.

Skies over Northern Virginia and DC will be partly cloudy Monday night, according to Accuweather, but no precipitation worries are in the forecast.

For the best chances to see shooting stars, find a dark sky free of city lights.

Several parks in Virginia are considered prime locations for viewing meteor showers.

Among Virginia State Parks, these are designated by the International Dark-Sky Association as dark sky parks, meaning they are protected against light pollution and are ideal for stargazing:

• James River State Park in Buckingham County
• Staunton River State Park in Augusta County

EarthSky.org also maintains a database of the best places to stargaze.

At its closest, Jupiter will be about 367 million miles from Earth, about the same distance it was in 1963. At its furthest point, the planet is about 600 million miles away from Earth.

The planet will also be more visible in the days after Sept. 26, according to Adam Kobelski, a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

“The views should be great for a few days before and after Sept. 26,” Kobelski said. “So, take advantage of good weather on either side of this date to take in the sight. Outside of the moon, it should be one of the (if not the) brightest objects in the night sky.”

How To See Jupiter

According to EarthSky.org, stargazers can find Jupiter by picking out the Great Square of the constellation Pegasus, a large square pattern in the sky with four medium-bright stars marking the corners. Once dark, look for a faint, circular grouping of stars known as the Circlet in the constellation Pisces. Jupiter is located southeast of both constellations.

A pair of binoculars on a mount should offer a good view of the planet. To see Jupiter’s Great Red Spot or bands, Kobelski recommended a 4 inch-or-larger telescope with green or blue to enhance visibility.

The most ideal viewing location would be at a high elevation in a dark and dry area, Kobelski said.

Correction: This story was update to omit two parks that close at dusk.