Jupiter Opposition Peaks January 10, 2026

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, will reach opposition on January 10, 2026, positioning Earth directly between the sun and the gas giant and making it appear brighter and larger than at any other time that year. This celestial alignment, visible worldwide under clear skies, will allow observers to see Jupiter rise in the east at sunset, remain prominent throughout the night and set near sunrise.

The event occurs as Jupiter completes its 12-year orbit around the sun, coming into opposition roughly every 13 months from Earth's perspective. On January 9, the planet will reach its closest approach to Earth for 2026, at a distance of about 393 million miles. By January 10 at approximately 9 UTC, or early morning local time in many regions, the opposition will peak, with Jupiter shining at a magnitude of minus 2.7. This brightness will make it the fourth most luminous object in the night sky, after the sun, moon and Venus, which will be obscured by the sun's glare during mid-January.

Located in the constellation Gemini, Jupiter will appear about seven degrees southwest of the bright star Pollux, near its twin Castor. Skywatchers can spot it as a steady, creamy-colored...