Jupiter Reaches Opposition This Weekend; Here's When To See The Giant Planet At Its Brightest

If you're one of the millions of people experiencing springlike warm temperatures this week, it's a great time to look up and see Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, at its brightest.

The gas giant will reach opposition on Saturday, Jan. 10, marking the planet's most impressive appearance of 2026. During this celestial alignment, Earth positions itself directly between Jupiter and the sun, creating optimal viewing conditions for observing the "king of the planets."

What Makes This Weekend Special

At opposition, Jupiter will blaze at magnitude -2.7, making it the third-brightest object in the night sky after only the moon and Venus. The giant planet will appear noticeably larger and more luminous than at any other time this year, as Earth and Jupiter reach their closest approach.

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Interestingly, Jupiter will actually be nearest to Earth one day earlier, on Jan. 9, when the two planets will be separated by approximately 393 million miles. This slight timing difference occurs because both worlds follow curved, slightly tilted orbital paths around the sun.

When And Where To Look

Jupiter will be easily visible to the naked eye in the constellation Gemini, rising in the east after sunset. The planet will remain visible throughout the night, setting just before dawn for most of January. No telescope is required to enjoy the spectacle, though binoculars or a small telescope will reveal Jupiter's four largest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, first discovered by Galileo in 1610.

Why Opposition Occurs

Jupiter takes nearly 12 Earth years to complete one orbit around the sun, which means opposition events occur roughly every 13 months as our faster-moving planet overtakes the gas giant. The last Jupiter opposition occurred in November 2024, and the next won't happen until February 2027.

During opposition, several factors combine to make Jupiter appear at its finest. Earth and Jupiter reach their minimum distance while the sun fully illuminates Jupiter's visible hemisphere from our perspective. The planet also remains above the horizon all night long, providing extended viewing opportunities.

Getting The Best View

Start looking after sunset, when Jupiter will be well-placed in the eastern sky. Even modest binoculars or a small telescope will reveal Jupiter's distinctive cloud bands and largest moons, while the planet's brightness during opposition makes it an ideal target for both smartphone cameras and dedicated astronomical equipment.

Jupiter's distinctive cream and tan cloud bands become visible even through small telescopes. These bands are created by powerful atmospheric currents racing around the giant planet at hundreds of miles per hour.

Senior writer Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s newsletter.