Jupiter and the Moon to share a close encounter Saturday night

Before turning in for the night on Saturday, make sure you look up at the sky, as Jupiter and the Moon, two of the brightest objects visible in the night sky, will be close to each other and can be spotted by looking in the southern part of the sky near the constellation Leo.

According to Space.com and Astronomy Now, the two objects will be visible high in the sky, approximately two-thirds of the way between the horizon and the zenith (the point that is directly overhead), and both can easily be seen using a pair of basic, low-powered binoculars.

The moon, currently in its waxing gibbous phase, can be found about 13 degrees to the right of Jupiter on Saturday and will be located seven degrees to its left on Sunday night, Dan Malerbo from the Buhl Planetarium & Observatory said earlier this week in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The duo should be visible starting roughly 45 minutes after the sun sets.

In addition to its close proximity to Jupiter, the moon will be 64 percent sunlight, according to Space.com. Combined, these factors mean one thing: “The pair will no doubt make for an eye-catching sight even to those who aren’t paying much attention to the sky,” the website said.

Great Red Spot, four of Jupiter’s moons may also be visible

While the moon and Jupiter will be easily visible to just about anyone looking up to the sky this weekend, National Geographic points out that there’s a special added attraction for all those who have more powerful binoculars or telescopes: a chance to see four of Jupiter’s moons.

“If you point your binoculars at this gas giant, you can easily see its four largest moons, first observed and recorded by famed astronomer Galileo back in 1609,” the website said. “And if you have a small telescope handy, you can see the planet’s beautiful atmospheric details, such as swirls and festoons of gas compounds that make up the upper cloud deck.”

Furthermore, this weekend will also give stargazers an opportunity to get a good look at Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the anticyclonic storm located south of the planet’s South Equatorial Belt, noted Astronomy Now. The Great Red Spot is easiest to see when it is in transit, crossing the imagined line connecting Jupiter’s north and south poles, and it is expected to do so early Sunday morning – in the UK, at least.

Finally, mark your calendars for August 27, as Space.com said that Jupiter will be part of what they are calling “a spectacularly close conjunction with Venus” on that date. Sure, it may still be more than three months away, but it never hurts to make plans and be prepared!

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Image credit: NASA

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