Planets TonightJupiter in 2012: brightness, position and events
Brightest-2.8around Dec 1
Closest (in table)4.069 au609 million km
Farthest6.010 au
Events this year2
Brightest last year-2.9
Events this year
| Date (JST) | Event | Mag | Dist (au) | Constellation | Elong. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-05-13 22:22 | Conjunction with the Sun | -2.0 | 6.010 | Aries | 0.8° |
| 2012-12-03 10:45 | Opposition | -2.8 | 4.069 | Taurus | 179.2° |
Magnitude through the year (lower = brighter)
Twice-monthly position and visibility
| Date | Mag | Dist (au) | Constellation | Elong. | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | -2.6 | 4.545 | Pisces | 110° E | Evening sky |
| Jan 15 | -2.5 | 4.763 | Aries | 97° E | Evening sky |
| Feb 1 | -2.3 | 5.036 | Aries | 81° E | Evening sky |
| Feb 15 | -2.2 | 5.253 | Aries | 69° E | Evening sky |
| Mar 1 | -2.2 | 5.467 | Aries | 56° E | Evening sky |
| Mar 15 | -2.1 | 5.642 | Aries | 45° E | Evening sky |
| Apr 1 | -2.1 | 5.814 | Aries | 32° E | Evening sky |
| Apr 15 | -2.0 | 5.917 | Aries | 21° E | Evening sky |
| May 1 | -2.0 | 5.989 | Aries | 9° E | Too close to the Sun |
| May 15 | -2.0 | 6.010 | Taurus | 1° W | Too close to the Sun |
| Jun 1 | -2.0 | 5.984 | Taurus | 14° W | Too close to the Sun |
| Jun 15 | -2.0 | 5.921 | Taurus | 24° W | Morning sky |
| Jul 1 | -2.0 | 5.805 | Taurus | 35° W | Morning sky |
| Jul 15 | -2.1 | 5.669 | Taurus | 46° W | Morning sky |
| Aug 1 | -2.1 | 5.466 | Taurus | 59° W | Morning sky |
| Aug 15 | -2.2 | 5.274 | Taurus | 70° W | Morning sky |
| Sep 1 | -2.3 | 5.023 | Taurus | 84° W | Morning sky |
| Sep 15 | -2.4 | 4.810 | Taurus | 97° W | Morning sky |
| Oct 1 | -2.5 | 4.575 | Taurus | 112° W | Morning sky |
| Oct 15 | -2.6 | 4.389 | Taurus | 126° W | Morning sky |
| Nov 1 | -2.7 | 4.208 | Taurus | 144° W | Morning sky |
| Nov 15 | -2.8 | 4.111 | Taurus | 160° W | Most of the night |
| Dec 1 | -2.8 | 4.069 | Taurus | 178° W | Most of the night |
| Dec 15 | -2.8 | 4.097 | Taurus | 166° E | Most of the night |
Computed with the JPL DE421 ephemeris and Skyfield (times in JST). Magnitude and distance are for 12:00 JST on each date. Visibility is a rough guide for mid-northern latitudes such as Japan.
About this page
Jupiter is brightest around December 2012 (magnitude -2.8); 2 conjunctions, oppositions or elongations occur this year.