Doha: Jupiter will be visible in the skies of Qatar on Tuesday, July 14, (23 of Dhu al-Qadah 1441 AH), in an astronomical phenomenon where Jupiter encounters the Sun. Jupiter will rise around the time of sunset on Tuesday.
QCH astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk said that this phenomenon, where Jupiter encounters the Sun, is a highly significant one, as it provides a good opportunity to see and monitor Jupiter from Earth for the longest period of night during the year. In addition to that, Jupiter will be brighter and larger than usual days, as it will be at its nearest point to Earth.
Jupiter encounters the Sun once a year and the planets' last encounter was on June 10, 2019. The planets shall meet again on August 20, 2021 (Friday).
Residents of Qatar and Arabic area countries will have a good chance to observe Jupiter during the astronomical phenomenon all night, where it will rise in Qatar skies on Tuesday at 06:21 pm Doha local time, and will reach its highest (azimuth angle) at 11:37 pm Doha local time. During this time, the planet will be 42 degrees towards the southern horizon, until sunrise of the following day, added Dr. Marzouk.
During the "Jupiter encounters the Sun" phenomenon, the center of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Earth will be at a straight line. Earth will be in the middle and Jupiter on the opposite side of the Sun.
Jupiter is the fastest spinning planet in our Solar System rotating on average once in just under 10 hours, which is very fast especially considering how large Jupiter is. This means that Jupiter has the shortest days of all the planets in the Solar System.
