December 21 is one of the most-awaited days in 2020 in the space world. Two of the massive planets in the solar system Jupiter and Saturn, are set to meet each other in the closest distance ever.
This event will happen after the sunset of Monday, Dec. 21. Here's everything you should about the 'Great Conjunction.'
What will happen on Dec. 21
'Great Conjunction': Jupiter, Saturn to Meet 0.1 Degrees Closest to Each Other
While Earth gets busy to prepare on the upcoming holidays, the outer space is also taking their time for the most-awaited space event of the century, called Jupiter and Saturn 'Great Conjunction' or also known as the 'Christmas Star.'
According to EarthSky, conjunction means meeting of planets and other objects in the sky's dome. After 800 years, the two of the biggest planets in the solar system are set to meet each other in the closest distance possible.
Only about 0.1 degrees apart will be seen between the two planets.
"You can imagine the solar system to be a racetrack, with each of the planets as a runner in their own lane and the Earth toward the center of the stadium," said Henry Throop, astronomer in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "From our vantage point, we'll be able to be to see Jupiter on the inside lane, approaching Saturn all month and finally overtaking it on December 21."
Galileo Galilei history on this event
As shared by NASA, the Great Conjunction between the two planets are not just an 'event' for the agency. This was one of the historical events to be expected only centuries apart.
Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, for one, made a major role in this conjunction.
"In 1610, the astronomer pointed his telescope to the night sky, discovering the four moons of Jupiter - Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In that same year, Galileo also discovered a strange oval surrounding Saturn, which later observations determined to be its rings. These discoveries changed how people understood the far reaches of our solar system," narrated by NASA.
Thirteen years later, the first Great Conjunction happened in the history. Today, it's about to happen again.
How to watch Jupiter and Saturn 'Great Conjunction'
A crescent moon (L) is seen with Saturn (upper right) and Jupiter (lower right) ahead of their closest visible conjunction on December 17, 2020 in Antalya, Turkey. On December 21, a Jupiter and Saturn conjunction will form a rare "double planet" for the first time in 400 years and will be the closest the two planets have been since 1623.
To those who wanted to see the Great Conjunction, here's what you need to do.
About an hour after sunset, make sure to get your binoculars-- or just go outside. Find a spot of the southwestern sky that has no obstructions that could block the view.
Both of the planets are bright, so it's not hard to see it with a naked eye.
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