Tonight, Jupiter and Saturn Will Form a Rare "Christmas Star" — Here's How to Watch the Phenomenon
The two planets will align closer together than they have in 800 years.
Jupiter and Saturn, the solar system’s two largest planets, will come so close together they’ll appear to collide in what experts call a “Christmas Star,” a phenomenon last seen during the Middle Ages. On the evening of December 21 — which coincidentally marks the winter solstice — people around the world will be able to witness the rare conjunction of the planets, visible to those on Earth as an exceptionally bright point of light in the sky.
Those near the equator will have the best view of the Christmas Star, which will reveal itself after sunset. ”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,” physics professor Walter Freeman told CNN. ”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,” he added. Those located in New York or London (or along the same latitudes) should view the astrological phenomenon as close to sunset as possible. After sunset, the planets move closer to the horizon, making them more difficult to see.
If you miss out on tonight’s Christmas Star, you’ll have to wait quite a while for the next one. Astronomers predict Jupiter and Saturn won’t approach at a close proximity again until March 15, 2080.
