The Moon and Jupiter spectacularly close together (Thursday, 20 February 2020)

On the morning of Thursday February 20th the Moon and Jupiter will be spectacularly close. Jupiter and the Moon are closest around 1800 UT 19 February (around 5:oo am AEDST and 4:00 am AEST, 20 Feb in Australia), but at this time the moon is below the horizon in Perth and very low  in Adelaide and Darwin. The pair will look spectacular with the unaided eye, but excellent in binoculars or telescopes (well except Perth for mots telescopes).

For Perth 3:30 am is when the Moon is nearly two hand-spans above the horizon and the Moon and Jupiter 38 arc minutes apart, very nice in binoculars but just out of reach of most wide-field telescope eye pieces.

For Adelaide 5:00 am ACDST is a good comprise, The Moon is nearly 3 hand-spans above the horizon and the Moon and Jupiter are 15 arc minutes apart.

Darwin is best around 4:30 ACST when the Moon is nearly two hand-spans above the horizon and the Moon and Jupiter are 44 arc minutes apart.

The east coast and Adelaide are favoured for telescopic views, but binocular views will be excellent from all locations.

You may wish to try some astrophotography with a mobile phone or a point and shoot camera. Follow the links for hints on imaging the Moon (and thus Jupiter) with these systems.