“What is most rare is a close conjunction that occurs in our nighttime sky, said Vanderbilt University’s David Weintraub, an astronomy professor. I think it’s fair to say that such an event typically may occur just once in any one person’s lifetime, and I think ‘once in my lifetime’ is a pretty good test of whether something merits being labeled as rare or special.”
It was the closest Jupiter-Saturn pairing since July 1623, when the two planets appeared a little nearer. That conjunction was almost impossible to see, however, because of its closeness to the sun.
Considerably closer and in plain view was the March 1226 conjunction of the two planets when Genghis Khan was conquering Asia. Monday s conjunction will be the closest pairing that is visible since way back then.
Jupiter and Saturn will merge in the night sky Monday, appearing closer to one another than they have since Galileo’s time in the 17th century.
Toss in the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest night of the year and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and this just-in-time-for-Christmas spectacle promises to be one of the greatest of Great Conjunctions.
“What is most rare is a close conjunction that occurs in our nighttime sky, said Vanderbilt University’s David Weintraub, an astronomy professor. I think it’s fair to say that such an event typically may occur just once in any one person’s lifetime, and I think ‘once in my lifetime’ is a pretty good test of whether something merits being labeled as rare or special.”
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Jupiter and Saturn appeared to merge in the night sky Monday, appearing their closest since the 17th century
Some experts believe the spectacle could have been the star of Bethlehem followed by the three wise men
The planets will actually be more than 450 million miles apart with Earth 550 million miles from Jupiter
Jupiter and Saturn were closer in the night sky than they have been for centuries in a spectacle some astronomers believe could have been thought of as the star of Bethlehem followed by the three wise men.
The planets were in alignment on Monday night and will remain so for the rest of this week as the solar system s two biggest planets appeared to meet in a celestial event that astronomers call the Great Conjunction.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.
Jupiter and Saturn will merge in the night sky Monday, appearing closer to one another than they have since Galileo’s time in the 17th century.
Astronomers say so-called conjunctions between the two largest planets in our solar system aren’t particularly rare. Jupiter passes its neighbor Saturn in their respective laps around the sun every 20 years.
But the one coming up is especially close: Jupiter and Saturn will be just one-tenth of a degree apart from our perspective, or about one-fifth the width of a full moon. They should be easily visible around the world a little after sunset, weather permitting.
Associated Press
photo by: Associated Press
People are silhouetted against the sky at dusk as they watch the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Edgerton, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Jupiter and Saturn merged in the night sky Monday, appearing closer to one another than they have since Galileo’s time in the 17th century.
Astronomers say so-called conjunctions between the two largest planets in our solar system aren’t particularly rare. Jupiter passes its neighbor Saturn in their respective laps around the sun every 20 years.
But this one was especially close: Jupiter and Saturn were just one-tenth of a degree apart from our perspective or about one-fifth the width of a full moon. They were easily visible around the world a little after sunset, weather permitting.