For the first time in 800 years, Saturn and Jupiter will align to form a ‘Christmas star’

It was in the Middle Ages the last time humans witnessed the brilliant astronomical phenomenon that we are about to see.

The planets Jupiter and Saturn line up in the sky every 20 years or so, but it has been almost 800 years since they were brought close enough from Earth’s perspective to create the known dual “star” planet. under the name of “Christmas star” or “. The Star of Bethlehem.” This alignment will appear as a bright spot of light that stands out sharply in the night sky.

“One would have to go back up just before dawn on March 4, 1226 to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky,” Rice University astronomer Patrick Hartigan told Forbes.

The time when “the Christmas star” is visible just before Christmas will likely prompt comparisons to the Nativity story in the Gospel of Matthew in which the three wise men followed a shining star, leading them to the child. Jesus. Biblical scholars have debated for centuries whether the star was a symbol in a fable or an actual astronomical event such as the one we will see this month. One theory, proposed by the famous German astronomer Johannes Kepler, was that the original “star of Bethlehem” mentioned in the Bible could have been an even rarer triple alignment of Jupiter, Saturn and Venus.

Either way, we’re in for our own astronomical treat this Christmas week.

The maximum alignment will take place on December 21, coinciding with the Winter Solstice. For better viewing, those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere can look at the southwestern sky about 45 minutes after sunset that day. However, we should be able to see it throughout the week.

In a year of such darkness, having the holiday season lit by a rare stargazing feels like a gift. (Or maybe it’s an omen? No, let’s go with a gift.)

And luckily, humans won’t have to wait another 800 years to see it again. The next conjunction of these planets in this way will be on March 15, 2080, so the young people among us might have another chance to witness it. As for us, we will have to hope for a clear sky the week of December 21 to be able to participate in this rare event in all its splendor.