When is Jupiter visible from the UK tonight? How to see planet while it is in opposition and closer to Earth

Bonfire night may be almost upon us but before the fireworks steal the show nature has its own celestial display to delight stargazers.

The planet Jupiter will be visible tonight, even with the naked eye. Giving a glimpse of largest planet in the solar system.

Here’s how to catch sight of the gas giant and when.

When will Jupiter be visible tonight?

Jupiter will be visible in the sky for most of this month, rising in the east at sunset and easier to see as it gets higher in the sky as the hours pass.

However on Friday 3 November, it is in opposition, something which only happens every 13 months. This means it will be at the point in its orbit closest to Earth and completely opposite to the Sun.

Opposition is the best time to view any planet, as they are brighter than usual.

It will be visible all night with the naked eye from 16.32 on Friday until 06.54 on Saturday 4 November.

How to see it in the night sky

According to the BBC’s Sky at Night magazine, Jupiter reaches a peak altitude of around 50° when due south and manages this under dark-sky conditions all month.

It will be visible without a telescope but using one means stargazers may also be able to see the planet’s moons and large cloud bands.

Using binoculars or small telescope, will mean those watching the night sky can see Jupiter’s four largest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Those using a 100mm telescope, should also be able to see its cloud bands and the Great Red Spot.

What we know about Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, with a diameter 11 times that of Earth, and gets its name from the king of the ancient Roman gods.​

The fifth planet from the Sun, it appears to have swirls and stripe on its surface.

These are, according to NASA, “actually cold, windy clouds of ammonia and water, floating in an atmosphere of hydrogen and helium”.

Jupiter also has an iconic Great Red Spot, which is an enormous storm bigger than Earth which has raged for hundreds of years.