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The great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn 2020, sometimes known as the Christmas star, inspired many sky watchers to head out on Monday night to catch a glimpse of the rare event. Ed Piotrowski, South Carolina WPDE-TV chief meteorologist, was one of many who shared a spectacular sight.
“The great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn through my telescope just after 6pm,” he said in a photo tweet. “4 of Jupiter’s moons; Europa, Ganymede, Io and Callisto and Saturn’s moon Titan visible”
A conjunction in astronomy occurs when two objects appear close together in the sky when viewed from Earth, and a large conjunction specifically involves Jupiter and Saturn. The 2020 event is the closest observable conjunction of the two since 1226, and the two planets won’t be that close again until 2080.
You may hear the conjunction known as the Christmas star. That’s because some argue that a similar planetary gathering created the legendary Star of Bethlehem that led the Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men, to Baby Jesus. Not everyone accepts that – astronomy educator and former planetarium director Jeffrey Hunt said “there are other planetary alignments that could explain the Star of Bethlehem” – but it adds a timely element to this dazzling December.
And if you missed it on Monday, you can go out every night until Christmas Eve. The planets will stay comfortably close until December 24.
Whether or not you are heading outside to view the conjunction, you can appreciate the photos taken and shared by many viewers. Some, like Piotrowski, noticed that they were stacking the images (taking multiple photos with different focus points and combining them) and many described the camera settings they used.
some photos from different parts of the world of the phenomenon known as #GreatConjunction that is currently taking place, during which Jupiter and Saturn converge to the maximum 🤩
this phenomenon will not be repeated until 2080 pic.twitter.com/Mxh8LMf1y6– Asthma 🇩🇿 (@ 13Semsouma) December 21, 2020
Woohoo! #GreatConjunction from Tampa. Jupiter’s moons from top to bottom. Callisto, Io, Ganymede (almost touching Jupiter) and Europa below him. Take a look at Rhea and Titan, the two moons of Saturn. Equipment: Sony a7r4 with 10-400 GM lens with 2X teleconverter. 📷 Frank Delargy pic.twitter.com/B6PY9UVqnq
– Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX (@ PaulFox13) December 22, 2020
Great conjunction. Jupiter and its 4 largest moons (550 million miles away) and Saturn (one billion miles away). Image from the Melbourne Telescope, Australia by Sajal Chakravorty pic.twitter.com/q5971CTD4A
– Tom Kierein (@TomKierein) December 22, 2020
And there were even some pretty good jokes.
I don’t want Jupiter to align with Saturn. I want it to align with Mars. Then Peace will guide the planet … and love will guide the stars.
– Duncan Stuart (@duncan_stuart) December 22, 2020
Of course, NASA joined in on the fun, with an opportunity only they could offer. “That’s not one star, it’s two planets! TheGreatConjunction It looks great from the moon! “read a tweet.
Sadly, not everyone got a good look at the grand conjunction. “We have cloudy skies in Toronto and we can’t see anything,” wrote one Twitter user. “Disappointing.”
Wow. Amazing. We have cloudy skies in Toronto and we can’t see anything. Disappointing.
– lanamy01 (@cochraf) December 22, 2020
Unfortunately, here in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the weather was not cooperating. Clouds in the way of seeing the Great Conjunction.
– Linda Levin (@shirameanssong) December 21, 2020
And in a year of pain and pain unprecedented for many, the great conjunction caused some people to think deeply about our place in the universe.
“Beautiful night sky,” wrote one Twitter user. “I look at (that) and think. There is probably life somewhere.”
He wrote another: “Brilliant. I’m crying seeing this. Something much bigger and more beautiful than what is here on earth right now.”
Beautiful night sky. I look at that and think. There sure will be life somewhere
– Darren Taylor (@ DarrenT06578985) December 22, 2020
Sparkly. I’m crying looking at this Something much bigger and more beautiful than what is here on earth right now. Jupiter, Europa, Io, Callisto, Gannymede and Saturn.
– Elaine Calder (@calder_elaine) December 22, 2020
Use our tips to try to detect the great conjunction on Christmas Eve, December 24.
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