PLANET JUPITER IS visible beside the moon tonight.

Editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine David Moore said that whenever the moon passes near the planet Jupiter – Astronomy Ireland is inundated with reports of ‘the new star’ that just appeared beside the Moon.

He added that people shouldn’t be alarmed and that it’s a beautiful spectacle of nature “that everyone should go outdoors and watch for one night only”.

The planet Jupiter is transformed from the brightest ‘star’ in the sky into a beautiful disk showing its cloud belts, Great Red Spot, and its four giant moons.

Astronomy Ireland is holding a viewing at its headquarters (just off the M50 in Blanchardstown) to see both the Moon and Jupiter up close.

Moore added, “Both these objects are an amazing sight in large telescope.

The Moon is covered in mountains and craters and the telescopes are so powerful that you can see the individual peaks in the mountains in the centre of some of the craters, an absolutely amazing sight that people will never forget for the rest of their lives!

Astronomy Ireland is also appealing for photographs or written accounts of what people see for a major report being produced for Astronomy Ireland magazine. Contact details on the society’s website www.astronomy.ie.

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