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Ephemeris: 12/03/2024 – Jupiter begins to dominate the evening sky

December 3, 2024 Comments off

This is Ephemeris for Tuesday, December 3rd. Today the Sun will be up for 9 hours even, setting at 5:02, and it will rise tomorrow at 8:03. The Moon, 2 days past new, will set at 6:48 this evening.

The bright star that’s in the east early in the evenings isn’t a star at all, but the planet Jupiter. This giant planet is moving to be in opposition to the Sun this Saturday, which means that the Earth is directly between Jupiter and the Sun, so it’s the time that it’s closest to us. And so it’s at its largest appearing and brightest. Jupiter is the largest of the planets being about 11 times the Earth’s diameter, its volume would be 11 cubed or about 1,300 times the Earth’s volume. It is the second-brightest planet after Venus. It is also the largest appearing planet in telescopes except for a couple of months around the time when Venus is closest to the Earth. Binoculars will show that Jupiter is not quite star-like, and some of its large satellites can be also seen.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EST, UT – 5 hours). Times will be different for other locations.

Addendum

Jupiter is now seen low in the east in the early evening.
Jupiter is now seen low in the east in the early evening. It is currently located between the horns of Taurus the bull and it will stay wandering in there through the rest of its appearance until spring when it moves towards the horn tips as it sets in the west in the evening twilight. The next time we’ll see it late next year it will be in the constellation of Gemini. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.
A size comparison between Jupiter, the Earth and Moon
A size comparison between Jupiter the Earth and Moon. Feel insignificant yet? Credit: NASA.

Categories: Ephemeris Program, Naked-eye planets, Observing, Planets Tags: