Updated 6.45pm
IF YOU TURN your eyes to the sky tonight to look at the full moon, you might notice a brilliant looking ‘star’ shining away next to it.
That is, of course, if some pesky clouds aren’t in the way.
It won’t actually be a star – it will be the planet Jupiter. Astronomy Ireland said today the planet will be easily visible to the naked eye, even from brightly lit cities.
Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system at over 1,000 times the volume of the Earth.
Tonight, it will be just to the left of the moon and will still be visible tomorrow night, directly above the moon.
The planet is at its closest to the Earth for all of 2015 and tomorrow night, powerful telescopes will be set up at Astronomy Ireland’s Headquarters in Blanchardstown, Dublin, at 8pm to show its cloud belts and four moons.
All are welcome and the ‘Jupiter Watch’ is free of charge.
“We are urging everyone to glance at the sky over the next two nights and see the biggest planet in the solar system right next to the Moon in the sky,” commented David Moore, editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine.
“It is an mistakable awe-inspiring sight that you cannot miss. Hopefully, it will inspire thousands more to take up the hobby of astronomy especially with the big eclipse on the way later this month!”
Originally published 3pm
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