Stargazers have been taking up the opportunity to spot one of the biggest planets at its brightest.

But if you have not had a chance to see the planet, there's still time.

Jupiter, the fifth planet from the sun and largest in our solar system, is visible to stargazers this month.

Professor Fred Watson from the Australian Astronomical Observatory at Coonabarabran said Earth went once around the sun in a year, but Jupiter was different.

"Jupiter goes once around the sun in about 12 years and so that neatly means that about every 13 months the Earth and Jupiter make a straight line with the sun," Professor Watson said.

"That means from our vantage point the planet is opposite the sun in the sky so as the sun sinks in the west and disappears, Jupiter rises in the east, and it means that Jupiter is in the sky all night."

Jupiter was at "opposition", earlier this month, meaning it was at its closest position to Earth.

"It's not a political term, what it means is that Jupiter is opposite the sun in the sky," Professor Watson said.

"What's a little bit special about it, yes this happens every 13 months, but for the last few years the oppositions have been occurring at higher altitude, the height above the horizon.

"So … at the moment, Jupiter is not only at its nearest to us about 640 million kilometres as the crow flies but also it is highest in our sky."

"Here in the south it's beaming down on us almost overhead."

Stargazers flock to observatory

For experienced astrologers or even novices, just some simple equipment will deliver up close results.

"If you've got basic binoculars or a telescope, now is the time to use them," Professor Watson said.

Photographers are enjoying taking photos of Jupiter. ( Supplied: Dave Bonnington )

Peter Starr, who runs the Dubbo Observatory, said the facility had been inundated with stargazers.

"Winter is a very popular time for looking at the night sky," he said.

"You've got the Milky Way up and it's the way earth is pointed, back towards the centre of the galaxy."

For those eager to see the planet, look to the eastern sky from about 6pm (AEST).

If you find the moon, Jupiter will be further west.

Fainter Saturn follows Jupiter, trailing behind it by about 2 hours, and visible from about 8pm (AEST).

Next month it will be Saturn's turn to come to opposition.