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In the third quarter, the Moon will enter the sky on October 13. Along with Jupiter. | Credit: Dr K Kar via Getty Images
If you are late on Monday night (October 13) or wake up at the early Tuesday (October 14) (October 14), look at the east to a bright gaze.
The moon, just a few hours before the last quarter, will rise above the eastern and northeast horizon just before midnight local time. The light about 6 degrees on the right will be Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system.
To estimate the distance between them, hold the compressed fist; This is about 10 degrees over the entire length of the hand, thus The moon and Jupiter will be separated by about a little more than half a fist. This is, of course, an illusion of perspective: the moon is only 235,000 miles (378,000 kilometers) from The land; Meanwhile, Jupiter is 477 million miles (768 million km), more than 2000 times further in space compared to our natural satellite.
Best images early Tuesday morning
Next to the dazzling Venus, Jupiter is the best observer planet in the fall and most of the upcoming winter season. But at the moment Venus There is a eastern thing that does not appear before Dawn’s break and appears only as a great point in telescopes, leaving Jupiter undeniable late at night and pre -morning hours. Look for the fact that he is currently looking just above the northeast horizon of the eastern northeast until 11:40 a.m. Local daylight time. However, Jupiter will not reach 30 degrees above the horizon – one third of the road to the sky – until 2:30 in the morning, it is considered a sharing line between objects that are “low” compared to objects considered “well -arranged”. Sharp telescopic images are rare until the object reaches 30 degrees in height, taking into account the typical turbulent state Earth’s atmosphere;
The approximate place of the Moon and Jupiter at midnight time on October 13 | Credit: Daisy Dobrijevic created by Canva Pro
Jupiter, rapidly growing high in twins
Currently, Jupiter is twins, twins, next to a star marked with a twin brother’s right hand, constellation Pollux (Kappa Geminorum). Gemini is also where the ecliptics, the road The sunThe moon and planets come farthest north. This gives the North observe the advantage, as the farther away the planet in the north, the more time it spends above the horizon and the higher the southern part of the sky it will appear.
When Jupiter reaches the highest point in the southern sky, around the local sunrise, Portland, Oregon and Mineapolis/Station will be approximately 65 degrees. Paul; 70 degrees Salt Lake in City and Philadelphia; 80 degrees in Houston and New Orleans and 85 degrees (practically over the head) Brownsville, Texas and Florida keys.
What to see through a telescope
The most popular telescope set!
View photos of Celeltron Nexstar 8se telescope with your orange optical tube
Looking for a telescope for another Stargazing event? We recommend the Celeltron Nexstar 8se as the best selection of our telescopes to see Planets Guide.
Telescope Jupiter is always a charming sight. Light and dark cloud belts appear to be parallel to the equator and slowly changing in the atmosphere of the giant planet. Meanwhile, the famous Great red placeIt seems to shrink to size, as well as a jelly bowl, at the same time survives dynamic fluctuations and changes in shape, compress and exit. When it is large enough to fit two to three ground, the stain is now only about one land.
Other attractions are four satellites of Galilee. Late Monday evening to Tuesday morning overnight stays, consistently held binoculars or telescope will easily show all four of these big moons. You will see late Monday night before Tuesday morning CallisistIs it Europeand Io lined up on one side of the planet with Granted in each other.
Awaited a rare 2026
A little less than a year later, Jupiter and the Moon will be one of the best 2026. The part of the heavenly accents. October 6 In the morning, most of North America will be treated with an impressive eclipse (occult) of Jupiter just 4 days before the new one.
This event will be seen in many Eastern and Central North America. Night (night) Jupiter occult are quite rare any place given. For example, most parts of the US were the last chance 2004 December. The beauty of the crescent moon hiding such a wonderful object as Jupiter-Once with the Galilee Satellite Prize in binoculars and telescopes-most of the event will be built near the “necessary” events in 2026.
Mark your calendars!
If you are looking for a telescope to view Jupiter our Best of deep space telescopes The guide can help. We also have a guide Astrophotography for beginners This includes everything from equipment to photography modes and more.
Joe Rao works as an instructor and invited lecturer in New York Hayden Planetarium; He writes about astronomy Natural History MagazineIs it Heaven and telescope and other publications.
Editor’s Note: If you capture a photo of Jupiter and the Moon and you would like to share it with Space.com readers, send your photo (s), comments and your name and location at spacephotos@space.com.