Jupiter will be at its most spectacular in 2026 in the early hours of Jan. 10, as it shines above the eastern horizon among the stars of the constellation Gemini. Here's where to look and what to expect as the gas giant draws closest to Earth around opposition.
The visibility of planets in the night sky varies dramatically based on their orbital positions relative to the sun and Earth. The best time to view superior planets — worlds that orbit the sun at a greater distance than our Blue Marble — is at their points of opposition, when they line up in our night sky directly opposite the sun, with Earth in the middle.
