While 2020 coming to an end, the solar system decided to honor us with a cosmic Christmas miracle that was not seen in near 800 years In December 21 (aka the december solstice), Jupiter and Saturn will line up so closely in the night sky that they will almost appear to collide from our vantage point here on Earth, creating a radiant point of light often called «the star of Bethlehem “or” the Christmas star”
“Alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once every 20 about years, but this conjunction is exceptionally rare due to the proximity between the planets”, said Patrick Hartigan, astronomer at Rice University, according to Forbes «We should go back to the dawn of 4 mars 1226 to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky”
The event, sometimes called the Great Conjunction, happens about every 19 at 20 years, but it’s the closest that planets line up in the night sky since the Middle Ages Technically, Saturn will be at 10 at (astronomical units) from Earth and Jupiter to 5 at, but they will appear to be smaller than the diameter of a full moon apart
To get a glimpse of the phenomenon for yourself, make sure you have a clear view to the southwest approximately 45 minutes after sunset The planets will be at their closest in December 21, more «the Christmas star» will be visible from anywhere on Earth for about an hour after sunset in the northern hemisphere throughout the fourth week of December If you look through a telescope, you may also be able to see the larger moons of Jupiter and Saturn orbiting them this week. The next great conjunction of this fence will not take place until 15 mars 2080, so be sure to peek out the window later this month for brilliant holiday fun
Jupiter, Saturn, December, great conjunction
News – United States – Jupiter and Saturn will align to create the first «Christmas star» in nearly 800 years
Associated title :
– Planetary conjunction among the 5 main astronomical events this month
– Jupiter and Saturn will align to create the first " Christmas Star" ; in nearly 800 years
– Jupiter and Saturn will be the closest they have been since 800 years
– The long nights of December & include a meteor shower, Jupiter and Saturn
– The planets line up before Christmas to produce a phenomenon similar to« the star of david »
– Jupiter and Saturn align in a rare & # 39; double planet& # 39; conjunction the 21 December
– Patrick Rowan& # 39; s Skywatch: Look for rare Saturn , Jupiter conjunction
– Observation of the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on Long Island
– When the stars align: the australian skies will light up for a unique event on 21 December which has not been seen in 400
– Jupiter, Saturn will look like a double planet in December 21 in a rare celestial event
Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/jupiter-and-saturn-will-align-to-create-the-first-christmas-star-in-nearly-800-years/ar-BB1bzzF4