King planet meets King star

[Planetwatcher]

On March 3rd, Jupiter will be at it's closest opposition from Earth. You will find it in the constalation Leo where it will also be very close to Leo's brightest star Regulas, also known as the King star.

[GOURDHEAD]

In what context will Jupiter be in closest oppositon to earth? Is earth at aphelion with Jupiter at perihelion? Over what interval of time (compared to how many other oppositions) does this closest opposition hold? When the earth is in inferior conjunction with respect to Jupiter, what is the average distance between them? :unsure:

In the recent close approach of Mars, how close to perihelion was Mars and how close to aphelion was earth at the exact moment of opposition? :unsure:

[DippyHippy]

GOURHEAD, a planet is said to be at opposition when it appears due south at midnight - in other words, when it's directly opposite the Sun in the sky.

I don't know the answers to your other questions though!

[Dave Mitsky]

This will not be a particularly close opposition.

Dave Mitsky