The bright planet Jupiter will be visible to the lower left of the beautiful 7% illuminated, waxing crescent moon on the evening of April 10, 2024.
Jupiter’s appearance next to the moon on our sky’s dome on April 10, 2024, does not mean that they’ll get too close (in terms of their distances).
Currently, Jupiter is 877 million kilometers away from the earth, according to TheSkyLive, whereas the average distance of the moon from the earth is only 384,400 kilometers.
The close appearance of two celestial objects on our sky’s dome is called a conjunction. Here is the conjunction of the moon and Jupiter.
When and where to watch Jupiter near the moon
On April 10, 2024, the moon and Jupiter will set together around a couple of hours after sunset. So look low in the western sky around an hour after sunset to see bright Jupiter, which is visible to the lower left of the waxing crescent moon.
Not only that, Jupiter will be visible low in the western sky following sunset throughout the month of April 2024.
Related article: What planets are visible in the night sky in April 2024?
How to watch Jupiter near the moon
Currently, Jupiter is the brightest object in the evening sky (except the moon), and it appears like a bright star to the naked eye. However, you need a telescope to see its disk, original color, and moons.
How bright will be the moon compared to Jupiter
On the evening of April 10, 2024, the moon will shine with a magnitude of -9.8 and Jupiter with a magnitude of -1.9.
Please remember that the higher the number of magnitudes, the fainter the star, and we can see up to +6 magnitude stars or planets when the sky is dark and crystal clear.
Also magnitude 1 star is approximately 2.5 times brighter than a magnitude 2 star, and magnitude 1 star is approximately 2.5*2.5 = (2.5)^2 = 6.25 times brighter than a magnitude 3 star, and so on.
Now, on the evening of April 10, 2024, the difference in magnitude between the moon and Jupiter will be approximately 8 (by taking the number only).
So on the evening of April 10, 2024, the moon will be approximately (2.5)^8 = 1526 times brighter than Jupiter. However it is difficult to understand with the naked eye.
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