The Christmas Star will arrive tonight for the first time in nearly 800 years.
According to NASA, our solar system’s two largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, will come together for a planetary conjunction popularly called the “Christmas Star” or the “Solstice Star,” or the “Star of Bethlehem”.
The event, sometimes referred to as The Great Conjunction, occurs roughly every 19 to 20 years, but this is the closest the planets will line up in the night sky since the Middle Ages.
“The solstice is the longest night of the year, so this rare coincidence will give people a great chance to go outside and see the solar system,” said Henry Throop, an astronomer in the Planetary Science Division at NASA’s Washington headquarters.
To see the Christmas Star, NASA advises finding a spot, such as a field or park, that gives you an unobstructed view of the sky.
Then, look to the southwestern sky about an hour after sunset, which is scheduled to take place at 4:42pm.
Today is also the first official day of winter.
For more details on the Great Conjunction, please click here.
Skywatchers, you're in for a once-in-a-lifetime treat! Jupiter & Saturn are doing a planetary dance that will result in the Great Conjunction on Dec 21, just after sunset. Find out:
🤩 When and where to look up
📷 How to photograph the conjunctionVisit: https://t.co/SdQSLex2Ex pic.twitter.com/DkaB5XyO9B
— NASA (@NASA) December 20, 2020
Keep an eye on the sky tonight, dude.
After all, Rufus said Wyld Stallyns' music would align the planets. 🎸⚡️
— Bill & Ted 3 (@BillandTed3) December 21, 2020