Dynamic bands of clouds shine in this mosaic of images from the Cassini orbiter, the most detailed global color portrait of Jupiter ever produced.
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Jupiter at Its Best, and More Can't-Miss Sky Events in May
The solar system's largest planet will take center stage, while a meteor shower and a planet-hopping moon also light up the night.
Sky-watchers will get a chance in the coming weeks to catch a storied meteor shower, gaze at the largest planet shining its brightest, and witness the moon playing hop-scotch with neighboring worlds across the overnight sky.
So dust of those binoculars, and turn your gaze toward the heavens this month.
At dusk, look for the super-bright planet Venus to join the star Aldebaran—the red “eye” of Taurus, the bull—low in the northwestern sky. The two star-like objects will appear to be separated by six degrees, equal to about the width of your fist held at arm’s length. While both points of light will appear similar in brightness, you should easily notice their distinct colors: stark white for Venus and orange-red for Aldebaran.
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