Jupiter near eastern quadrature

Event Date: February 23rd

Time: 6:14(.41)PM

Brief

   Jupiter put on an excellent show this past fall and through the first two-plus months of winter, making triangular configurations with red giant star Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster.  The Hyades star cluster has also been close by.  Now, moving slightly faster in prograde motion each day, Jupiter is starting to move away from this trio and further east in the constellation of Taurus.  Also, as the Sun continues to move east towards this part of the sky, we have Jupiter for a limited number of hours after Sunset, compared to the weeks shortly following its opposition.  Shown below, Jupiter is near eastern quadrature (two days from now), as it transits shortly after Sunset.

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

Detailed

   Since Jupiter sets--on average--three minutes earlier each day between now and conjunction, that, plus the Sun setting later, is one reason that Jupiter's time in the evening sky will dwindle quickly.  Also, because of the Sun's glare in the way, the last month that Jupiter is east of our star will not be one for which it is too visible.  It will remain about as bright as it is now, at least noticeably.  However, atmospheric pollution and the Sun's glare will lead to unaided eye viewing being challenging.  By that time also, Jupiter will be near the Taurus/Gemini border.  As we pull further away from it in orbit, Jupiter's prograde motion increases faster, and it is fastest at conjunction.  When we see Jupiter again emerge from the Sun in the morning sky during late June and early July, we will notice a difference of where it is against the stars compared to where it will be against them about two months before conjunction; when surrounding stars around it are still visible, that is!