Jupiter ablaze in east on Sept. evenings

The planet Jupiter will reach “opposition” on Tuesday. That means it stands “opposite” the sun as seen from Earth, rising bright in the east as the sun sets in the west.

It’s also Jupiter’s closest approach to Earth this year, and the best time to see the giant planet in a telescope, or binoculars.

Find something to steady your binocs, and you can spot up to four of Jupiter’s “Galilean” moons, tiny star-like objects lined up on either side of Jupiter’s disc.

(PHOTO: James Willinghan. From Spruce Knob, W.Va., Sept. 6. Lumnera Skynyx 2.0M camera and Astronomix RGB filters through a 12-inch Meade SCT. 500. Used with permission)