Jupiter, the King of the Planets, reaches opposition tonight, its closest approach and brightest appearance of the year. Or, it would be if we could see through the clouds and murky skies we're enduring at the moment.

No matter. Planets move slowly in the sky, and the view won't change much for the next few weeks. The message here is that Jupiter is big and bright this month. Look for it low in the southeast after skies darken in the evening. If your horizon is clear and low, you can't miss it. Jupiter is the brightest star-like object in the sky.

Here's a gorgeous shot by Jeffrey Berkes (jeffberkesphotography.com), taken late last month on Assateague Island. That's Jupiter glowing low on the horizon. Photo used with permission.

Opposition means that Jupiter is "opposite" the sun in the sky as seen from Earth, rising in the east (or, southeast) as the sun sets in the west. Looking down on the solar system, you could draw a straight line from the sun, through the Earth, and on out to Jupiter.

At opposition, Jupiter is "only" about 387 million miles from Earth, the closest we'll get all year.

At this distance, it's a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of Jupiter through binoculars or a small telescope. With a a car or a tree to steady your binoculars (and clear skies - not so easy in a Chesapeake summer), you should be able to make out as many as four of Jupiter's largest moons. They're lined up on either side of the planet's disk like tiny diamonds alongside a huge central stone.

Those are the moons that Galileo first spotted late in 1609. Watch them over a series of nights and you can see them change position as they orbit the planet. For more visit spaceweather.com

And while you're out stargazing, look low in the west after sunset and see Mars and Saturn in close conjunction. That's Saturn at upper left, Mars less than the width of your finger (held at arm's length) away to the lower right, and the bright star Regulus a bit farther down to the right. Binoculars will help there, too.