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Conjunction of planets and stars in the Milky Way photographed with long exposure.
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We’re less than a week away from a spectacular celestial event that hasn’t been so clearly visible for centuries, and sky observation experts say it’s not too early to start looking for the brilliant spectacle of Jupiter and Saturn closing in on each other. .
In what is called a “grand conjunction,” the two largest planets in our solar system will appear closer to each other in the night sky than at any other time in nearly 400 years.
“Witnessing this special event couldn’t be easier,” says Gary Seronik, consulting editor of Sky and telescope magazine. “On Monday December 21, which coincidentally marks the solstice, just go outside about 45 minutes after sunset, look to the southwest and look about 15 degrees above the horizon; that’s a span slightly greater than the width of your fist seen at arm’s length. “
This illustration shows the view to the southwest at dusk on December 21. Jupiter should be a … [+]
Sky and Telescope / Gregg Dinderman
Of course, there is no guarantee that the weather will cooperate that night, so the view is worth checking out even a few nights before or after the 21st, when the planetary pair will still appear within less than the diameter of a moon. each.
“Start looking now, tonight, you don’t want to miss every chance you may have to witness this incredible sight,” adds Seronik.
The gap between Jupiter and Saturn will narrow in the nights leading up to its closing. … [+]
Sky and Telescope / Gregg Dinderman
This also helps explain how it is called the “Christmas Star”, as the event occurs so close to the holiday and serves as a possible explanation for the biblical star of Bethlehem.
The next conjunction is not until 2040 and the planets will be further apart than this year.
When you go out at night to view the planets, Jupiter will appear much brighter, with Saturn above and a little to the right.
Virginia Tech astronomer Nahum Arav says it can even be a bit difficult to separate the two when they are closer together.
“The two planets can be easily seen with the naked eye. They will be very close to each other, about a fifth of the moon’s diameter. At their closest point, some people will need a binocular to separate them. “
It’s all a trick from the cosmic perspective, of course. In reality, the planets will be about 450 million miles apart.
The Moravian star in the starry blue sky at night.
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Arav also recommends planning at least an hour for a full observation on the 21st if you have a clear sky and a telescope or binoculars. It might be possible to distinguish the four Galilean moons of Jupiter and Titan, the largest moon that surrounds Saturn, with an amateur telescope.
The two planets hadn’t looked that close from our point of view since 1623, and even then their position closer to the sun was not ideal. So really, this is the most spectacular conjunction it has been from our point of view since probably 1226.
The next opportunity will not be such a long wait, as the next conjunction is scheduled for 2080.
