This Sunday evening, skywatchers across North America have a rare and beautiful opportunity to witness a striking alignment of the Moon, the planet Jupiter, and the star Pollux. Around 10:00 p.m. local time, look towards the eastern-northeast sky to see the waning gibbous Moon, approximately 72 percent illuminated, positioned near the bright planet Jupiter.
Observing the Alignment
The distance between the Moon and Jupiter will appear to be about half a clenched fist held at arm’s length—roughly 4.5 degrees apart. This close proximity makes for a visually appealing scene, particularly as Jupiter will shine with a steady, silvery light, unlike the twinkling of stars.
Jupiter’s Position and Visibility
Jupiter’s current location against the backdrop of Gemini the Twins is particularly advantageous for Northern Hemisphere observers. Due to its high declination (+23 degrees), the planet spends more time above the horizon and appears higher in the sky, especially for those in the southern U.S. when it crosses the meridian in the early morning hours. Looking approximately 3.5 degrees to the upper left of the Moon, you’ll also spot Pollux, a bright star significantly dimmer than Jupiter—about 1/28 as bright. While not as conspicuous as Jupiter, Pollux still ranks among the 21 brightest stars visible from Earth. Pollux marks the head of one of the twin brothers, and the head of the other (Castor) can be found slightly above it.
Dynamic Changes Throughout the Night
The Moon’s apparent movement across the sky—roughly its own diameter each hour—means the relative positions of the Moon, Jupiter, and Pollux will shift noticeably throughout the evening. The moment when all three objects appear to line up along a straight line, with the Moon positioned directly between Pollux and Jupiter, will vary depending on your location:
- Eastern Time Zone: Around 1:45 a.m.
- Central Time Zone: Approximately 12:25 a.m.
- Mountain Time Zone: Around 11:20 p.m.
- Pacific Time Zone: Shortly after the Moon, star, and planet rise, around 10 p.m., appearing low above the east-northeast horizon.
A Telescopic Opportunity
As dawn approaches on Monday morning, the configuration will have dramatically changed. The Moon will have moved significantly eastward, leaving Jupiter and Pollux behind.
Currently, Jupiter offers the best views for telescopic observation and will remain so through winter and into spring. For the clearest views, it’s best to observe when Jupiter is at least 30 degrees above the horizon. This altitude marks a point where Earth’s atmospheric turbulence usually diminishes, allowing for sharper images. While waiting for this ideal altitude, observers with telescopes can already enjoy viewing Jupiter’s four largest moons—Ganymede and Io on one side, and Europa and Callisto on the other—which are always fascinating to watch as their positions change relative to the planet.
This celestial alignment offers a unique chance to appreciate the beauty and scale of our solar system – a reminder of the wonders that unfold above us every night
