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Jupiter and Saturn will unite in the night sky later this month, forming what will appear to be a single bright star above the horizon.
The event, known as the “Great Conjunction,” will take place on the longest night of the year, offering astronomers a unique opportunity to see it.
The winter solstice, which occurs on December 21, will also coincide with the peak of the Ursid meteor shower, which marks a spectacular end to the astronomical calendar in 2020.
This month’s Grand Conjunction will be the closest meeting of the two largest planets in the solar system since 1623, despite Jupiter and Saturn passing close to each other every 20 years or so.
Jupiter and Saturn will be within 0.1 degrees of each other, about a fifth of the moon’s diameter, and it will be visible from around the world.
Given the timing of the conjunction, some have compared the merger of the two gas giants to the Christmas Star.
Weather permitting, the two planets will briefly appear as a single entity to the naked eye, just above the horizon when looking southwest shortly after sunset.
Looking in that direction with a hobby-grade telescope, the rare event will mean that both Jupiter and Saturn will appear within the same field of view.
Space seen from a grandmother’s garden
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The best place to witness the show is away from any light pollution, with professional astronomers and photographers advising observers to allow at least 45 minutes to allow their eyes to adjust to the dark.
The planets will once again unite within a tenth of a degree to each other in 2080, which means that this may be the last chance for many people to see such a conjunction within their lives.
Every night before December 21, Jupiter and Saturn “will gradually get closer,” according to NASA.
“Keep in mind that while the two gas giants may seem close, they are actually hundreds of millions of miles apart,” the US space agency said.
“This will be quite an amazing sight, but you will have to look fast as both planets will set shortly after sunset.”
