Jupiter, left, and Saturn draw near to each other to form a âChristmas starâ as they set over Ruby Peak at about 5:45 p.m. on the winter solstice, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. The apparent proximity of the two planets, which were really 456 million miles apart, is also called âThe Great Conjunctionâ because they line up with Earth in their respective orbits. This yearâs conjunction is first time since 1623 that the two huge planets have appeared this close to one another in our sky â and nearly 800 years since this very close conjunction was visible at night.Ellen Morris Bishop/For the Wallowa County Chieftain