However, in that event the planets were not easily visible because they dropped below the horizon before it was dark enough to observe with the naked eye. In fact, this is the closest the planets have been in the sky since 1623. So what makes this so different from other Great Conjunctions?įor this Great Conjunction, Jupiter and Saturn will be closer together in the sky than in other years. Our viewpoint from Earth is what makes the planets look like they are touching, it is also what makes this event so rare.Įarth's orbit around the sun takes 1 year to complete, but it takes Jupiter and Saturn much longer. The planets are still roughly 400-million miles apart. While Jupiter and Saturn may appear close in the night sky, they are anything but close together. The two planets will be just above the horizon, and will set a few hours after the Sun. 21, the planets will appear so close together that they will almost look like one point of light to the unaided eye. It's two planets in our Solar System.Ī Great Conjunction is when the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn appear close together when viewed from Earth. It is dubbed the “Christmas Star,” except this isn’t some distant star. In fact, this is the closest the planets have been in the sky since 1623.Ī rare astronomical event is happening in the evening sky.ĭid you get a photo? Share it with us by clicking here. For this Great Conjunction, Jupiter and Saturn will be closer together in the sky than in other years.
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