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Jupiter and Earth just past its closest, now at opposition
Giant Jupiter is closest to Earth for 2023 on November 1-2. Then Earth will fly between the sun and Jupiter - bringing Jupiter to opposition - on November 2-3.
November 2, 2023
Why is Jupiter closest to Earth 1 day before opposition?
Jupiter's perihelion, closest point to the sun in 2023, is on November 1-2. The distance between the sun and Jupiter will be 369,964,113 miles (595,399,525 km).
November 1, 2023
Halloween is an astronomy holiday. It’s a cross-quarter day
A cross-quarter day falls between an equinox and a solstice. Halloween is the year's 4th cross-quarter day and the spookiest of the 4.
October 31, 2023
Don’t miss! Hunter’s Moon 2023 and Jupiter tonight
Find the date and time of the Northern Hemisphere's full Hunter's Moon for October 2021, and learn why this moon brightens the evening for a string of days.
October 28, 2023
Some will see a partial lunar eclipse tonight
A shallow partial lunar eclipse takes place on October 28, 2023, visible in Europe, Africa, most of Asia and western Australia. Jupiter is the bright object nearby. Maps and details here.
October 28, 2023
Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun
Proxima Centauri is the nearest star to our sun at 4.22 light-years away. It's home to at least 2 planets and has massive solar flares.
October 27, 2023
Jupiter’s moons: How to see and enjoy them
October and November 2023 are great months for seeing Jupiter's moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto with binoculars or a small telescope.
October 25, 2023
Venus before sunrise: See it around October 23!
Look for Venus before sunrise. It'll reach greatest elongation - its greatest distance from the sunrise - on October 23, 2023. It's blazingly bright! Can't miss it!
October 22, 2023
International Observe the Moon Night October 21
International Observe the Moon Night is October 21, 2023. It's a global event for celebrating the moon. Here's how you can participate online or in person.
October 20, 2023
Olbers’ paradox asks ‘Why is the night sky dark?’
Olbers' paradox asks why is space dark if the universe is filled with stars. The answer has to do with traveling light and red-shifting colors.
October 19, 2023
