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Jupiter and Saturn align to create the Poinsettia: what it means
Jupiter and Saturn align to create the Poinsettia: what it means

Video: Jupiter and Saturn align to create the Poinsettia: what it means

Video: Jupiter and Saturn align to create the Poinsettia: what it means
Video: Jupiter and Saturn Align Conjunction 2020/Christmas Star 2024, March
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On December 21st a very rare phenomenon will occur: Jupiter and Saturn will line up thus creating a strong point of light in the middle of the night, the Christmas Star

The solar system has decided to honor us with a cosmic Christmas miracle not seen for nearly 800 years, known like the Christmas Star.

On December 21st (i.e. the December solstice), Jupiter and Saturn will line up so tightly in the night sky that, here on Earth, they will almost seem to collide.

The result? A radiating a point of light in the middle of the night, indicated precisely as the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas Star.

Where and when to see the Christmas star

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What is it about?

The event, i.e. the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, also referred to as The Great Conjunction, occurs approximately every 19 or 20 years old.

The cosmic peculiarity of this December 21st is that the two planets will be very close, even more than "usual", and at night. It hadn't happened since the Middle Ages.

Alignments between these two planets are quite rare, occurring once every 20 years or so. but this conjunction is exceptionally rare due to how close the planets will be to each otherPatrick Hartigan, an astronomer at Rice University, Texas, told Forbes.

The last similar event dates back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226

How can the phenomenon be seen?

The Christmas star will be visible from any point on Earth for about an hour after sunset in the Northern Hemisphere for the entire fourth week of December.

In order to see the alignment of the two planets for yourself, make sure you aim the telescope southwest about 45 minutes after sunset.

The next time this phenomenon is repeated it will be the March 15, 2080, so be sure to take a look out the window to not miss this rare event and close this 2020 with a smile.

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