tech
January 10, 2026
Country diary: Look up! Tonight’s the night to see Jupiter at its brightest
Ynys Môn (Anglesey): The wolf moon is spectacular enough, but look east and you’ll see a celestial titan the size of a pinprick
TL;DR
- Jupiter is currently at opposition, making it appear largest and brightest in the night sky.
- It is a massive planet, 1,300 times the volume of Earth, with a thick atmosphere and high wind speeds.
- The great red spot, a storm three times the diameter of Earth, is visible through binoculars.
- Its four largest moons – Callisto, Ganymede, Europa, and Io – can also be observed with binoculars.
- Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system.
- The Gemini constellation's stars, Castor and Pollux, are part of Jupiter's backdrop.
- The moon influences Earth by maintaining orbit and generating tides.
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