This is a photograph of a crescent moon, in the upper left, and Jupiter and Saturn in the lower right. You will need to click on the photograph to see it large enough to see both planets. On December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will meet in a “great conjunction,” the closest they can be seen in the sky together for nearly 800 years. This is rare celestial rendezvous, a cosmic gift of sorts, many lifetimes in the making.
Tonight they were about 1/3 of a degree apart. On the 21st they will only be 1/10th of a degree apart!
Unfortunately, the weather report for Monday night is for overcast skies. Tuesday should be clear and they will be about 1/6 of a degree apart. but even seeing them this close is a thrill because it is such a rarity!
Here is a close up, through a tree of Saturn, on the top and Jupiter underneath.
And here is a cropped close-up of the photograph from above. You can see the brighter Jupiter and two of its moons, and above that Saturn and two of it's moons!
Here's hoping the night sky will clear for you on December 21st, the first day of winter!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I an article calling this rare occurrence a "Christmas Star" and a sign of bright skies ahead. Hoping you have clear skies next week.
ReplyDeleteJoan
I love your enthusiasm when it comes to astronomy! It is exciting to read that Saturn and Jupiter will get so close. I hope the weather stays clear so you can photograph this rare event. betsey
ReplyDelete