David Ward 9,613 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Watch for the 'Christmas Star' as Jupiter and Saturn come closer than they have in centuries The two largest planets in our solar system are coming closer together than they have been since the Middle Ages, and it's happening just in time for Christmas -- hence the nickname of the "Christmas Star." While it's not an actual star, the two planets will certainly make a bright splash in the night sky. On the night of December 21, the winter solstice, Jupiter and Saturn will appear so closely aligned in our sky that they will look like a double planet. This close approach is called a conjunction. The fact that this event is happening during the winter solstice is pure coincidence, according to NASA. Hope for clear skies because the conjunction will be visible around the world, with the best perspective for those near the equator. "The further north a viewer is, the less time they'll have to catch a glimpse of the conjunction before the planets sink below the horizon," Hartigan said. "On December 21, the sun will set around 4:30. After that, it is a race -- the sky must get dark enough to see Jupiter and Saturn before they set as well, around 6:45," said Walter Freeman, assistant teaching professor in the department of physics at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences in New York state. "Jupiter and Saturn will likely stand out from the twilight glow starting around 5:00 or 5:15. With binoculars, a telescope, or a telephoto lens of 500 (millimeter) focal length or more, you may also be able to see the four largest moons of Jupiter. There's no better way to celebrate the longest night of the year than watching the stars. So if you're planning a night of stargazing on the solstice, start off by admiring the largest planets before they set." https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/21/world/christmas-star-jupiter-saturn-solstice-scn-trnd/index.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ward 9,613 Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 I hope it isn't too cloudy tonight Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcerer92 837 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I saw it this evening and it was a lovely solar event. Though I must admit I am having the hardest time not trolling my religious family who legit believe this is the Star of Bethlehem Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pablo 8,585 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 It's full cloud coverage tonight here, hopefully I get to see it in the next few days! Don't visit my profile Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PunkTheFunk 125,703 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 My Christian aunt has been sending me so many emails about this damn star I feel like I know it personally. Gaga's marketing team could never. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopazBlue 2,100 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 100% cloud cover here, such a buzzkill But seeing Comet NEOWISE this summer was so magical, I'll never forget it! 🔻 𝔫𝔬 𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔧𝔲𝔡𝔦𝔠𝔢, 𝔫𝔬 𝔧𝔲𝔡𝔤𝔢𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔟𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔣𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔡𝔬𝔪 🔺 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
weed 78,957 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I can’t see anything Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotLikeMexico 6,576 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I see it. Here in LA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimisaMonster 31,073 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Saw it also here in LA...looks pretty cool like 2 dots...one bigger and one small next to each other Stream my new single, 💜"Heartbeat"💜, on Spotify! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilMonst3r 5,681 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Cant see it in Boston, sky was too cloudy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizbo the clown 3,406 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I open this thread thinking about Miss Mariah the og Christmas star Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle 2,056 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I’m near Sacramento Ca and the fog was way too thick to see anything last night 😩 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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