The brightest planet in the evening sky is Jupiter. Jupiter hasn’t been this bright and close in 40 years. The planet is 362 million miles away, which is hardly close. Amateur astronomers will enjoy its proximity, as their telescopes will render it as large as it gets.

In opposition, Jupiter is in the zodiacal constellation Pisces, a constellation depicting mythological fishes. If you could see deeper into outer space you’d also notice that the distant planet Neptune is nearby.

Jupiter rises in the east at about the same time as the sun sets in the west. Viewing the planet only gets better as the evening gets later. Take a look around 9 p.m. and you’ll be impressed at how much this giant planet commands the night sky in the south, above the trees and nearby buildings.