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Seen from a superior planet, an inferior planet on the opposite side of the Sun is in superior conjunction with the Sun. An inferior conjunction occurs when the two planets align on the same side of the Sun. At inferior conjunction, the superior planet is "in opposition" to the Sun as seen from the inferior planet (see the diagram).
Mars is at its brightest when it is in opposition, which occurs approximately every twenty-five months. Jupiter and Saturn are the largest of the five planets, but are farther from the Sun, and therefore receive less sunlight. Nonetheless, Jupiter is often the next brightest object in the sky after Venus.
On October 9, 1604, a conjunction between Mars and Jupiter took place, whereby Mars passed Jupiter 1.8 degrees southward. Only two degrees away from Jupiter Kepler's Supernova appeared on the same day. This was perhaps the only time in recorded history a supernova took place near a conjunction of two planets.
The view shows Jupiter including its Great red Spot captured by NASA's Juno spacecraft on the outbound leg of its 12th close flyby of the gas giant planet, April 1, 2018. Picture taken April 1, 2018.
And we're about to witness Mars reaching opposition in 2025. ... Earth sits directly between Mars and the Sun, positioning the red planet directly opposite of the Sun in the sky. Because of this ...
The biggest planet in the solar system will be on display in the December sky as it shines brighter than it has all year. On Saturday, Dec. 7, Jupiter will reach opposition, the point in its orbit ...
This last happened for Mars and Jupiter in 927 and 929 and will be again in 2742 and 2744. It last happened for Mars and Saturn in 1742–1743 and 1744–1745 and will occur again in 2185 and 2187. Conjunctions between Jupiter and Saturn—so-called great conjunctions , and are sometimes triple (seven times between AD 1200 and 2400).
Jupiter and the moon will become visible shortly after nightfall, but the entire show won't be observable until after 10 p.m. local time, once Mars rises above the horizon.