New Year Welcomes Bright Planet

Voice of America, December 31, 2001

Revelers ringing in the New Year under a clear sky will be treated to a rare sight as 2002 begins - the planet Jupiter at its closest and brightest.

That is because the largest planet in the solar system will be moving into a new position in the night sky, directly opposite the sun as seen from Earth. The "opposition" position means Jupiter will be brightly illuminated, especially for viewers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Scientists say the last time the gaseous planet with the large red spot was in opposition overhead at midnight on New Year's Eve was in 1752. According to astronomers, it is not expected to happen again until 2084.

One noted astronomer says people will be able to see more bright objects in the sky than usual as the year 2001 leaves us. He said he likes to think that suggests next year will be brighter than the past one.

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