In rare sky show, Jupiter and Saturn will nearly 'touch' on Dec. 21

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

Stargazers are in for a rare treat in the days just head of Christmas, as two of the solar system’s brightest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, engage in a celestial dance that will bring them within planetary kissing distance in the evening sky.

The moment of closest approach arrives on December 21—the winter solstice for those in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of summer for those in the Southern Hemisphere. The two planets will appear closer together than at any time in almost 400 years in an event known as a great conjunction.

Best of all, the spectacle, which will be visible from all over the world, can be enjoyed without any special equipment—just look southwest, as soon as the sky gets dark.

Those with access to a telescope are in for an additional rare treat: With a typical amateur instrument set to low power, the two giant planets will fit within a single field-of-view. 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/12/see-rare-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-saturn-on-winter-solstice/

[David Ward 9,613]

I hear it's supposed to be 20% the size of the moon in the sky

[Chromatislaps 34,854]

don't you know my ass is famous?!!

[imnotyourbabe10 6,120]

"Sempre ad astra" ("Always, to the stars")

This is such a magical and wonderful science event -- and we are all so lucky to live at a time to witness this!  I have placed a reminder in my calendar.

Inspiring, existential, and even romantic to know that "We are made of starstuff."

[TSUNAMI 21,297]

Ok, Neptune and Jupiter! Work!

[PhantomOfTheDance 13,795]

Astrologically, it means something big is going to happen, like a change. Jupiter is known to be "good" while Saturn is known to be "bad". This also occurred around the birth of Christus iirc.

[Stupid Oreo 14,669]

Lets blast off today

 

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

It must have gotten dark in the entire Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia by now.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/21/how-to-see-jupiter-and-saturns-great-conjunction

[numb the flame 7,321]

18 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

It must have gotten dark in the entire Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia by now.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/21/how-to-see-jupiter-and-saturns-great-conjunction

it's dark in the UK and there's a house directly south west of me so I cant see anything

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/gallery/2020/dec/22/jupiter-and-saturns-great-conjunction-in-pictures