Jupiter Rises in the Early Morning Spring Sky

For much of the month of April, early morning risers (or night owls in my case) have had the pleasure of watching Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars rise from the SE horizon moving towards the western sky. Here is a picture of Jupiter I took on April 28, 2020. This was a stack of about 50 images with some minor adjusting RegiStax 6.

Jupiter and 3 of its moons on 4/28/20. Europa,
Io, and Ganymede.

Saturn on 4/28/20

Planet Viewing Guide 2020: Best Dates to Image the Solar System

Mercury - Will be the brightest in the evening sky from January 26 to February 16.

Venus - Brightest in the evening sky and most ideal angle from the sun on March 24th and April 27

Mars - Brightest in the night sky from September 29 to October 28. Will rise over the eastern horizon after 10:15 pm. Mars will be at opposition on October 13. 2020 is a great year to view mars as its closest to earth as it will ever be (this happens every 2 years).

Jupiter - Brightest in the evening sky July 11 to July 16. Jupiter will be at opposition on July 14.

Saturn - Brightest in the evening sky July 4 to August 9. Saturn will be at opposition on July 20.

Uranus - Visible in the night sky August 24 to December 31. Brightest on its opposition on Halloween, October 21. Some will call this the year of the Great Hallowanus.

Neptune - Visible in the night sky from July 16 to November 5. Will be brightest on its opposition on September 11.

For additional 2020 planet viewing details, go here.