Have you ever taken time out of your busy life and simply looked up? Up at the magnificent sky, the beautiful constellations, the incomparable and glorious Milky Way. Well, while we can stare at the sky anytime, taking a closer look at the marvels of the solar system is not always possible for the common man.
Luckily, space lovers can view the two biggest planets in our solar system Jupiter and Saturn as they come closer to one another after 367 years. In what is being called the great conjunction, the rare celestial phenomenon was last observed in 1623 and will take place again in 2080, reports HT. The two planets will only be 0.1 degrees apart.
According to a post by NASA, everyone will be able to view the conjunction due to its timing. They wrote, “Find a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky, such as a field or park. Jupiter and Saturn are bright, so they can be seen even from most cities.”
The post further read,
“An hour after sunset, look to the southwestern sky. Jupiter will look like a bright star and be easily visible. Saturn will be slightly fainter and will appear slightly above and to the left of Jupiter until December 21.”
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
In India, the conjunction will reportedly be visible between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm on 21 December, reports Business Insider. The 2 planets will appear It will be visible in the southwestern sky nearly an hour after sunset. Additionally, the Nehru Planetarium in Delhi has opened registration for the viewing of the conjunction. Bengaluru’s Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium will also be live streaming the viewing of the great conjunction.
People online have started sharing enthralling pictures of the conjunction already!
Sunset 🌄
Moon 🌙
ConjuctionAll one pic 🥰🤩😘
🙏💪✌💚 pic.twitter.com/Ss4BNFQi0U— Ken♌🎱💚🌛Conjuction🪐Junkie🌟🌌😯🤩✌💜GIFfeyJr🕙 (@Blue26Jackson) December 19, 2020
A bit closer #jupitersaturnconjunction pic.twitter.com/8DX76Y3eJF
— Lei Xing (@leixing77) December 18, 2020
A double conjunction. The conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, in conjunction with the light from a lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan. #TheGreatConjunction2020 #jupitersaturnconjunction #wmiwx @ThePhotoHour #astronomy #photography pic.twitter.com/MBMdbPMhzj
— Kevin (@Starman) December 21, 2020
Look up at the sky… Jupiter and Saturn 🪐 align today.. 🤍#jupitersaturnconjunction #Telescope pic.twitter.com/jBSdenNTWF
— N📿 (@brujapielcanela) December 21, 2020
The Moon, Saturn and Jupiter tonight #moon #jupitersaturn #jupitersaturnconjunction pic.twitter.com/lxjDvs65Zd
— Lousa Mo (@lousa_mo) December 17, 2020
Sunset 🌄
Moon 🌙
ConjuctionAll one pic 🥰🤩😘
🙏💪✌💚 pic.twitter.com/Ss4BNFQi0U— Ken♌🎱💚🌛Conjuction🪐Junkie🌟🌌😯🤩✌💜GIFfeyJr🕙 (@Blue26Jackson) December 19, 2020
Wow, can’t wait to witness this wonderful sight! How about you? Tell us!