As Jupiter and Saturn appeared to merge and looked like a single bright star, in what is called ‘The Great Conjunction’ on Monday night, space enthusiasts had the opportunity to witness a rare celestial event.
The planets will again appear to be so close to Earth on March 15, 2080. (Photo: PTI)
As Jupiter and Saturn appeared to merge and appear to be a single bright star, in what is called ‘The Great Conjunction’ on Monday night, space enthusiasts had the opportunity to witness a rare celestial event.
People gathered to observe the phenomenon, which took place after about 400 years, on rooftops and open land in different parts of Kolkata and West Bengal, although winter fog partially obstructed the view.
Hundreds of sky watchers gathered at the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM) in Kolkata as the main science museum arranged for them to view the cosmic event in the southwestern part of the sky through a telescope, said a BITM spokesperson.
‘It happens once in a lifetime’
The two planets have never been so close since 1623, said MP Birla planetarium director Debi Prasad Duari.
He said: “If two celestial bodies appear visually close to each other from Earth, it is called a conjunction. And such a conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter is sometimes called a grand conjunction, if it occurs once in a lifetime.”
The planets will again appear to be this close to Earth on March 15, 2080.
(With PTI inputs)
