Jupiter shines bright
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, will be celebrated confluence of cosmic factors on December 7, 2024. Reach its peak brightness due to a phenomenon known as opposition.
At precisely 21:50 CET, Jupiter will be directly opposite the Sun as we see it from Earth. It will rise in the east just as the sun sets in the west, be highest in the sky around midnight, and set in the west as the sun rises in the east. This exceptional alignment makes Jupiter appear exceptionally bright.
On this date, Jupiter will be so bright it can be observed even from light-polluted urban areas, making it an astronomer-approved viewing event.
"One can observe之外look only the flattened disc of the planet itself," explains Petr Horálek, a renowned informant on the subject. “Jupiter’s flattening is caused by the rapid rotation of Jupiter. It rotates around its axis in nine hours and 55 minutes. During this time, a telescope will reveal not simply Jupiter disk against the night," adds Horálek. In
When and where will Jupiter reach opposition in December 2024? [[1](https://starwalk.space/en/news/what-is-opposition-in-astronomy)]
Jupiter Shines Bright: A Celestial Treat
**Host:** Joining us today is renowned astronomy expert, Petr Horálek, to discuss a spectacular event happening this December. Petr, Jupiter is set to reach peak brightness on December 7th. Can you tell us more about what’s happening?
**Petr Horálek:** Absolutely. This event, known as opposition, occurs when Jupiter is directly opposite the Sun in our sky. At this precise moment, Jupiter will rise as the Sun sets, reaching its highest point around midnight, before setting as the Sun rises again. This alignment makes Jupiter appear exceptionally bright and visible even from urban areas!
**Host:** That’s fantastic news for amateur astronomers! What else can people expect to see?
**Petr Horálek:** Through a telescope, you’ll be able to observe more than just Jupiter’s bright disc. Due to its rapid rotation, Jupiter is slightly flattened. In fact, it completes a full rotation in just under 10 hours! This, coupled with its immense size, makes for a truly remarkable sight.
**Host:**
This sounds like an unforgettable celestial display. Do you think this event might spark a renewed interest in astronomy among the general public? What are your thoughts on that?
