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- For the first time in 800 years, the people of Earth will be able to see the “Christmas star” in the night sky.
- Astronomers call the phenomenon the “Great Conjunction” because it is when Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in the solar system, are close to Earth and to each other.
- South Africans will be able to see the “Christmas star” on December 21 in the hours after sunset.
- For more stories, visit www.BusinessInsider.co.za.
This December, South Africans will be able to see the rare “Christmas star” with the naked eye. The last time the phenomenon was visible from Earth (1226 AD), the medieval Kingdom of Mapungubwe was still thriving in northern South Africa and Europe was in the Middle Ages.
Although it is called the “Christmas star”, it is not actually a glowing star in the night sky. Astronomers refer to the celestial phenomenon as the “Great Conjunction,” says South African Astronomical Observatory astronomer Daniel Cunnama. It’s when the gas giants of the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, are close to Earth and to each other.
Although the two planets align every 20 years, not all conjunctions are the same. “The last time they appeared so close was in 1623 AD. C., but they would have appeared very close to the Sun, and that is why it is very difficult for people to see them ”, he says. This year, as in 1226 AD, it is not close to the Sun, so people can witness the Christmas star.
By chance, the conjunction also coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day in the southern hemisphere, which occurs on December 21. “The best time to see it is just after sunset,” says Cunnama. “If you look to the west, you will see two bright objects, two of the brightest things in the sky.” They can already be seen, he says, and for the next two weeks they’ll get even closer, though never really overlap. “It’s worth going out and taking a look now.”
This year, the two planets are so close to Earth that you can see them with the naked eye. But Cunnama says that with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope, it is possible to observe the rings of Saturn and some of the moons that orbit Jupiter.
“It’s really worth going out and looking at it just for that reason,” says Cunnama. The next Great Conjunction will occur in 2080.
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