Jupiter
The largest planet in our solar system is a commanding presence in the night sky for much of the year. It looks like an intensely bright cream-colored star, shining brighter than anything else in the night sky except the Moon and Venus. It starts the year low in the southeast at first light, not far from Antares, the brightest star of Scorpius. It rises earlier as the months go by, and moves into the evening sky by spring. Jupiter is at opposition in early June, when it appears brightest for the year and remains visible all night. It will disappear behind the Sun in early December, where it will remain hidden from view for the rest of the year
July 2007 Viewing
Bright
Venus shines low in the west during twilight, getting lower each week.
Saturn glimmers next to it at the beginning of July, then moves off to Venus’ right as the month progresses. Regulus, which is fainter still, twinkles near them. The Venus-Saturn-Regulus trio sets by the time it’s completely dark, leaving
Jupiter, higher in the south, to shine as the brightest point of light in the night. Orange
Antares twinkles below Jupiter.
1 Look low in the west at dusk for Venus and Saturn having a close conjunction. Much dimmer Saturn is to the right or upper right of Venus by about a pencil’s width at arm’s length (0.8 degree). Farther to their upper left (7 degrees), look for Regulus. Binoculars will give a great view.
5 Saturn is now to the right of Venus by about two finger-widths at arm’s length.
6
Earth is at aphelion, its farthest from the
Sun for the year — 3 percent farther (about 3 million miles) than at perihelion in January.
7 In twilight this evening, bright Venus appears about equally distant from Saturn (to its right) and Regulus (to its upper left). Venus is about 3.5 degrees from each.