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We see in this photograph the magnificent spiral arm of our galaxy; stars of the constellation Libra, the constellation Scorpio, the planet Jupiter (light point in the center) and the majestic Saturn at 8 o’clock from Jupiter. This photo was taken at Varasgaon d
The two largest planets in the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, have fascinated astronomers for hundreds of years. But the two gas giants will do something next month, unheard of since the Middle Ages – they will look like a dual planet.
The rare event will occur after sunset on December 21, 2020, the start of the winter solstice.
“Alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once every 20 years or so, but this conjunction is exceptionally rare due to the closeness of the planets to each other,” the astronomer said. Rice University Patrick Hartigan in a statement. “We would have to go back to dawn on March 4, 1226 to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky.
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Between December 16 and December 25, the two planets will be separated by less than a full moon, Hartigan added.
A photo of Jupiter taken 7145 miles away by NASA’s JunoCam (NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / Roman Tkachenko).
“On the evening of the closest approach on December 21, they will look like a double planet, separated by only one-fifth the diameter of the full moon,” Hartigan explained. “For most viewers, each planet and several of their larger moons will be visible in the same field of view that evening.”
In 1614, the German astronomer Johannes Kepler suggested that a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn could be what was called “the star of Bethlehem” in the Nativity story, while others suggested that the “three wise men” could have been a triple conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn and Venus. But it is not known if the “Christmas star” was a true astronomical event, such as a planetary conjunction or a comet.
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This month’s celestial event can be observed anywhere on earth, but Hartigan noted that the farther north someone, “the less time he has to see.”
Jupiter and Saturn in the night sky over Broward County, Fla. July 28, 2020 (WTVT)
NASA says the conjunction will appear “spectacular” with a backyard telescope or even with the naked eye.
Astronomers should try to see the event next month or risk waiting a long time for the next occurrence. The two planets won’t be closer to each other until March 15, 2080 and sometime after AD 2400, Hartigan explained.
FOX News contributed to this report.
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