Jupiter and Saturn merged in the night sky Monday, and the Griffith Observatory brought viewers a live stream as it happened.
Astronomers say so-called conjunctions between the two largest planets in our solar system aren’t particularly rare. Jupiter passes its neighbor Saturn in their respective laps around the sun every 20 years, but this week they appeared closer to each other than they have since Galileo’s time in the 17th century. (Jupiter and Saturn were actually more than 450 million miles apart. Earth, meanwhile, will be 550 million miles from Jupiter.
From our perspective, Jupiter and Saturn were just one-tenth of a degree apart or about one-fifth the width of a full moon.
Also, Monday was the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest night of the year — and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
It was the closest Jupiter-Saturn pairing since July 1623, when the two planets appeared a little nearer. This conjunction was almost impossible to see, however, because of its closeness to the sun.
Considerably closer and in plain view was the March 1226 conjunction of the two planets — when Genghis Khan was conquering Asia. Monday’s conjunction will be the closest pairing that is visible since way back then.
Saturn and Jupiter have been drawing closer in the south-southwest sky for weeks. Jupiter — bigger and closer to Earth — is vastly brighter.
Despite appearances, Jupiter and Saturn will actually be more than 450 million miles (730 million kilometers) apart. Earth, meanwhile, will be 550 million miles (890 million kilometers) from Jupiter.
A telescope will not only capture Jupiter and Saturn in the same field of view, but even some of their brightest moons.
Their next super-close pairing: March 15, 2080.
Article From & Read More ( Watch video of great conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn on Dec. 21, 2020, if you missed the ‘Christmas Star’ like - OregonLive )https://ift.tt/2WFkxOd
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