Jupiter at opposition: setting and rising

Event Date: December 2nd

Time: 7:12 AM/4:49 PM

Brief

   As mentioned yesterday, Jupiter has reached opposition today, and setting just a few minutes after Sunrise.  Although likely too low into atmospheric pollution to see easily, Jupiter is still above the horizon when the Sun is, making this opposition unique.  Over the last few days, Jupiter was a little higher above the horizon, as it was closer to the Sun--west of it--at that time.  

   The first image shows Jupiter setting in the west-northwest, just as the Sun's western limb tangents the horizon and starts to "lighten our world" and unofficially, begin our day.  The second image shows Jupiter rising in the east-northeast, shortly after the Sun sets.

click on images to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp.

Detailed

Each day with retrograde, Jupiter has moved slightly further west, while the Sun constantly moves east, seen from Earth.  Also as a result of retrograde, Jupiter has lost a little northern declination.  When it had reached stationary a couple of months ago, it was a little further north.  Next year's opposition will have it about as far north as it gets on the celestial dome.  Either way, whether we view it then or tonight, we get to see it transit very high, not far from zenith, and spending almost 14 1/2 hours above the horizon.  As we are aware, near the June solstice mark in the sky, that is about the duration of our Sun above the horizon, seen from mid-northern latitudes.  Next year, when the Sun is closest to maximum northern declination at opposition, we will see it still barely above the horizon when Jupiter rises.  Until then, enjoy it here, still spending almost the entire night above the horizon.