Jupiter gives us Pluto in 2020 (earthsky.org)
Posted by Bruce McClure in Astronomy Essentials | Space | March 6, 2020
Jupiter and Pluto are near each other on the sky’s dome right now, and they will rendezvous 3 times in 2020. In fact, the 2020 triple conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto may well present the best Jupiter-Pluto alignment for centuries to come.
The king planet Jupiter is as hard to miss with the eye alone as the dwarf planet Pluto is difficult to find with the telescope. Jupiter is bright! It ranks as the fourth-brightest celestial object to light up the heavens, after the sun, moon and planet Venus. Pluto, on the other hand, is faint. It’s about 1,600 times dimmer than the faintest star visible to the unaided eye. It’s true that the best time of year to see Pluto through a small telescope is around the planet’s yearly opposition, when Earth is going between Pluto and the sun. That’ll happen this year on July 15-16, 2020.
However, this year – 2020 – is exceptional for Jupiter and Pluto. These two worlds are having a triple conjunction this year. They’ll come together, move apart, and come together again three times in 2020. Because all of these conjunctions will happen when these two planets are actually visible in our night sky (as opposed to being lost in the sun’s glare), this might be the best Jupiter-Pluto alignment for centuries to come.
This year, it should be easier to find Pluto, because very bright Jupiter and very faint Pluto will remain near each other throughout the year, closely aligned in front of the constellation Sagittarius. Pluto requires a telescope to be seen. No telescope? Try NASA’s Night Sky Network to find star parties and/or astronomy clubs near you. And you don’t need a telescope to use your imagination. Throughout 2020, dazzling Jupiter will enable us to envision Pluto with the mind’s eye on the sky’s dome. First find Jupiter and – presto – you’ve nearly stumbled upon Pluto. Just remember, Jupiter outshines Pluto by several million times.
The first of this year’s three Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions will take place on April 5. The second one will come on June 30, and the final one on November 12.
***
more: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/how-to-see-pluto-in-the-night-sky?
= new reply since forum marked as read
