Both Earth and Jupiter’s orbits are slightly elliptical, meaning that the distance between the two planets varies.
At its greatest distance, Jupiter is about 600 million miles from Earth.Jupiter is on the opposite side of Earth as the Sun tonight, a position called opposition, making the gas giant appear larger and brighter than usual.
Though its closest approach will be tonight, Jupiter and its moons will be extra visible for the next few nights, according to a NASA release.