The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Jupiter comes close to Earth

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Wednesday, Sep 22, 2010
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Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Jupiter comes close to Earth

Staff Reporter

It can be seen big and bright with naked eye up to Oct.24

After October 24, the brightness of Jupiter will be reduced gradually
Mercury can be spotted for the next few days before sunrise

HYDERABAD: Planet Jupiter will be its closest to the Earth in 47 years on September 21 and 22 and will continue to appear big and bright to the naked eye up to October 24, the Planetary Society, India said in a press note on Tuesday.

At 594 million km, the planet will be very close to its minimum distance of 588 million km from the Earth—a phenomenon which last occurred in 1967 and could take place again only in 2022.

Where it can be sighted

It can be observed every day, in the Eastern direction an hour after sunset, high above southern direction during midnight and towards West an hour before sunrise. Sun, Jupiter, and Earth will be in one straight line and opposite to each other during these days. Hence, the observer can notice the Jupiter rising from the East at sunset and setting in the West at sunrise.

After October 24, the brightness would reduce gradually, as the earth moves away from the fifth planet of the solar family.

However, it can be spotted till the end of March 2011 after sunset. From mid of October to mid of November, it can be found between East and South East directions, while in December 2010 and January 2011, it can be seen high above South. Between February and March 2011, it can be spotted between South West and West, the note said.

In another observation, the Society sought to inform the enthusiasts that the Planet Mercury, which is always hidden in the Sun's glare, can be spotted for the next few days before sunrise in the eastern sky, due to its Greatest Western Elongation.

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