Terry Tabron

Jupiter to Earth

Monday- September 26, Jupiter was the closest it’s been to earth in 59 years. The gas giant was 367 million miles away. According to NASA, this is the closest it’s ever been.

Jupiter at its furthest point was nearly 600 million miles away. Which is about 18 times more distant than the distance from Earth to Mercury.

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and the fifth furthest from the sun. Jupiter protects Earth from deflecting comets and asteroids. Nasa would describe Jupiter as a basketball and Earth as a nickel.

In a CNN article Deputy science manager for the Europa Clipper mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Trina L. Ray claims that Earth will be directly between Jupiter and the Sun during the astronomical event.

I was able to experience the historical event myself. I got a good look at it and I would describe it as a used jaw-dropper.

If you looked at the sky Monday, September 26. You may have noticed Jupiter. As it was the brightest star in the Sky.

Jupiter moves in opposition every 13 months, which makes it brighter than normal.

The last time this phenomenon occurred was in 1963. The distance then was also 367 million miles.

If you were out there with a telescope or binoculars, you were able to see details of the planet. 

If you witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, congratulations! If you didn’t have a chance to see this astronomical event, I’m afraid you won’t ever see it. As Jupiter won’t return this close for another 107 years.