Jupiter will be closest to Earth on December 6, 2024, reaching a distance of about 380 million miles. This is the closest approach of Jupiter to Earth for the year 2024. Jupiter will then reach opposition on December 7, 2024, meaning it will be opposite the Sun in the sky and visible most of the night.
The closest approach varies over the years because the orbits of Earth and Jupiter are not perfect circles. The next exceptionally close approach before this was in 2022 (September 26), which was the closest in 59 years, but for 2025, the closest approach will be in December 2024. Jupiter appears larger and brighter at closest approach due to its proximity.
In summary:
- Closest approach in 2024: December 6.
- Jupiter visible and brightest at opposition on December 7, 2024.
- Distance at closest approach: about 380 million miles (for 2024).
- Jupiter oppositions and closest approaches occur roughly every 13 months but vary in distance.
If the question is about the next closest approach from today (September 2025), then the most recent closest was December 6, 2024, and the next would be about 13 months later, roughly January 2026. However, no specific date for 2025 closest approach was found in the data. For a definitive date in 2025, additional specific data would be needed. Let me know if further details for 2025 are required.
