Jupiter on New Year’s Eve to be brightest in years

Associated Press

MIAMI — Revelers ringing in the New Year under a clear sky will be treated to a rare sight alongside the fireworks: Jupiter at its closest and brightest.

The largest planet in the solar system will be directly overhead at midnight on New Year’s Eve, according to astronomer Jack Horkheimer. The ringed planet Saturn also will be visible, and both will be joined in the sky by the almost full moon.

"If you’re in New York City watching the apple drop, you’ll be able to see Jupiter above the apple," said Horkheimer, executive director of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium. "In London … Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Jupiter will be overhead."

Horkheimer said Jupiter’s position will be in opposition, or directly opposite the sun as seen from Earth. That means it will be brightly illuminated, especially for viewers in the Northern Hemisphere, he said.

The last time the gaseous planet with the large red spot was in opposition and overhead at midnight on New Year’s Eve was in 1752, and the next time will be in 2084.

"If you miss it this time, you’re going to have to be awfully young to see it again," Horkheimer said.

When the sun sets on Monday, Jupiter will rise in the northeast and will slowly climb in the sky until it reaches its highest point at midnight.

The almost full moon will trail Jupiter to the east, "bathing the landscape in brilliant cosmic light," Horkheimer said.

Sky-gazers also will be able to see Saturn, the second-largest planet, nearby.

"People will be able to see more bright objects in the sky than they probably ever do," said Horkheimer, who has been an astronomer for 35 years and is the host of the television show "Star Gazer."

"It’s kind of a poetic way to tell us that perhaps next year will be a lot brighter than the past year," said Horkheimer.