Mars and Jupiter's Closest Approach This Decade

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Mars and Jupiter are poised for their closest alignment of the decade, with a spectacular conjunction occurring on Wednesday. From Earth’s perspective, the two planets will appear so close that a thin crescent moon could fit between them. However, in reality, they will be separated by over 350 million miles (575 million kilometers) in their respective orbits. The minimum separation of one-third of a degree will occur during daylight hours for most of the Americas, Europe, and Africa, although the planets will still be visible in the eastern sky toward the constellation Taurus before dawn. These planetary conjunctions, which occur approximately every three years, provide a unique opportunity for skywatchers. Jon Giorgini from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory noted that the ability to predict such events years in advance is a significant scientific achievement. The last time Mars and Jupiter were this close was in 2018, and they won’t align this closely again until 2033, when they will be even nearer. Historical records indicate that the closest conjunction in the past millennium occurred in 1761, when the two planets appeared as a single bright object. This celestial event coincides with the Perseid meteor shower, one of the brightest meteor displays of the year, enhancing the viewing experience. Observers will not need binoculars or telescopes to enjoy this remarkable sight, making it accessible to all.