Key Takeaways
- Binoculars or small telescopes will reveal Jupiter’s four largest moons.
- Jupiter will be visible across Saudi Arabia from midnight until sunrise starting October 17, 2025.
- The planet will reach peak brightness in January 2026 during its closest approach to Earth.
Residents across Saudi Arabia are preparing to see Jupiter, the solar system’s largest planet, throughout the night starting Friday, October 17, 2025, between 12am to 2am.
According to the Jeddah Astronomical Society, the gas giant will appear in the eastern sky around midnight Mecca time and remain visible until just before sunrise.
Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, president of the society, described Jupiter as “one of the brightest celestial bodies after the Moon and Venus,” appearing as a steady yellowish-white point of light. “For optimal viewing, look toward the southeastern horizon in the hours before dawn, when Jupiter reaches its highest point in the sky,” he advised. The planet’s visibility will be clearest in areas with minimal light pollution and clear atmospheric conditions.
The planetary show will be particularly impressive for those with optical aids. “Binoculars or small telescopes will reveal Jupiter’s four largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—appearing as tiny points of light aligned with the planet,”
Abu Zahra explained. The current viewing period represents a prelude to Jupiter’s opposition on January 10, 2026, when it will make its closest approach to Earth and appear at its brightest.
In Makkah, Jupiter rises at approximately 1:06 AM local time, while in Madina and other Saudi cities, timing may vary slightly.
The eastern side of the celestial dome meaning the direction from which stars, the Moon, and the Sun appear to rise.
Astronomy enthusiasts are encouraged to take advantage of the optimal viewing conditions during the second half of October, with clear skies expected across most of the Kingdom.
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