Winter solstice 2023: How to see Jupiter dance with the moon on the longest night of the year

[admin]

Jupiter and a bright moon will shine together on the winter solstice, which occurs Dec. 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere.

Winter solstice 2023: How to see Jupiter dance with the moon on the longest night of the year : Read more

 

[TheCableman]

The article states the Tropic of Capricorn at precisely 22.5 degrees south. I was always under the impression it was 23.5 degrees to coincide with the earths axial tilt. I hope I’m telling my students proper information.

 

[jakeqz]

A lunar cycle later, and I believe I am seeing Jupiter wobbling around close to the moon (with the naked eye). Everything else in the night sky seems static. Couldn't believe what I was seeing. Thought I might be hallucinating. Never knew of this phenomenom until I sought explanation and found your article with the word "dance". Is it Jupiter's own moons pulling it from side to side - in just tens of seconds?

 

[jakeqz]

The article states the Tropic of Capricorn at precisely 22.5 degrees south. I was always under the impression it was 23.5 degrees to coincide with the earths axial tilt. I hope I’m telling my students proper information.

According to Wikipedia, it's currently 23.43616° and slowly moving north (closer to the equator) at 15 metres per year - not significant, but enough to have to regularly move any signage, and dispel claims by restaurants and suchlike to be situated right on it. Earth's axial tilt varies over a 41,000-year period from 22.1 to 24.5 degrees.