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In these minutes of the afternoon of December 21, a unique phenomenon is taking place in the sky, which has not occurred in the last 400 years. The “Star of Bethlehem” has risen: the two largest planets in the solar system have come as close to each other as possible Jupiter and Saturn.
This unique phenomenon occurs on December 21, the day of the winter solstice. On the celestial sphere, the planets will approach each other at a distance of 1/5 of the diameter of the moon.
Jupiter and Saturn began to get closer to each other in early summer 2020, and on December 21 it will be considered almost a double planet. Almost the merging of the planets can be seen from anywhere on Earth.
Note that some scientists associate the “Star of Bethlehem” with this phenomenon. Thus, the German astronomer Johannes Kepler wrote in 1614 that the “Star of Bethlehem”, according to the Christmas story, could be a combination of Jupiter and Saturn.
Jupiter and Saturn rare celestial conjunction. Seen from Karachi, Pakistan #Jupiter #Saturn #Conjunction # December21 #GreatConjunction # GreatConjunction2020 pic.twitter.com/0WnZKOTZkc
– Ahsan Raza (@ahsanweb) December 21, 2020
It would be wonderful to explore different worlds. #Jupiter #Saturn pic.twitter.com/LUPJ5yaA8s
– Photograph by Jake Hall (@JakeHallPhotos) December 21, 2020
Crescent moon next to Jupiter and Saturn. #Moon #Jupiter #Saturn pic.twitter.com/3HqB3NWf6E
– m2 (@mskwbr) December 17, 2020
The moment has come. Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies tonight and whatever else you are doing, try to see the extraordinary conjunction of #Jupiter and #Saturn.
Engraved by astronomer @deepskydude Yesterday. #SpaceForHumanity pic.twitter.com/5xpcqgc6oK
– On the way to Atatürk (@MKAdaima) December 21, 2020
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For the first time in nearly four centuries, Jupiter and Saturn are approaching their minimum distance. A rare astronomical phenomenon also coincides with the day of the winter solstice: today the Sun will be at its minimum height above the Earth, so the day will be the shortest of the year. Therefore, sunset is scheduled for 15:56 Kiev time. Soon after, it will be possible to observe the approach of Jupiter and Saturn with the naked eye.
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