How to watch the Moon flirt with Jupiter tonight!
- Ric Kearbey
- Oct 13
- 2 min read
A cosmic date night
Tonight, the Moon has a hot date with the biggest planet in our solar system, Jupiter.
On October 13–14, 2025, skywatchers across the globe will be treated to a gorgeous sight as the thin crescent Moon cozies up just a few degrees away from Jupiter in the night sky.
This isn’t some rare eclipse or once-in-a-lifetime event, but it is one of those nights that makes you pause, look up, and whisper, “Whoa.”
Here’s what you’ll see
Step outside late tonight or early before sunrise, and look toward the eastern sky. You’ll spot the slender crescent of Moon paired with an unmistakably bright “star” nearby. That’s Jupiter shining at a dazzling magnitude of around –2.2, easily outshining everything else around it.
The Moon will pass roughly 4° north of Jupiter, close enough to make for a stunning view with the naked eye or binoculars.
Why this happens
This little cosmic rendezvous is called a conjunction, basically, when two celestial objects line up closely in the sky from our point of view here on Earth. The Moon zips around us pretty fast, so it sweeps past bright planets like Jupiter several times a year. But each time looks a little different depending on where everything is in the sky.
How to see the Moon and Jupiter tonight!
When: Late night October 13 through the pre-dawn hours of October 14
Where: Look toward the eastern horizon
What you’ll need: Just your eyes (binoculars are a bonus)
If you’re in Florida, the pair will rise just after midnight and shine brightest a couple of hours before sunrise, the perfect excuse to sneak outside with a cup of coffee and nerd out under the stars.
Nerdy skywatching tip
If you hold your hand at arm’s length, the width of your fist is about 10°. The Moon and Jupiter will be less than half a fist apart tonight — a great trick to impress your friends and your inner astronomy nerd.
Why this matters (beyond just being gorgeous)
Events like this are little reminders of how dynamic our night sky really is. The Moon is always moving, planets are always shifting, and we get to watch the dance unfold in real time.
Plus, Jupiter isn’t just any planet, it’s a gas giant with dozens of moons and enough mass to boss the whole solar system around gravitationally.
And tonight, it’s putting on a show.
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