'STAR IN THE EAST'
What time is the winter solstice Great Conjunction on December 21?
TONIGHT, December 21, a "Christmas star" will light up when Saturn and Jupiter come together during a Great Conjunction.
The astrological phenomenon is very rare and people around the world will have look closely at the night sky to see it.
⚠️ Read our Great Conjunction 2020 live blog for the latest news & updates
2
What time is the 'Christmas star' visible on December 21 in the UK?
The "Christmas star" is when two astronomical bodies meet in a celestial dome called the Great Conjunction.
On December 21, Saturn and Jupiter will appear just 0.1 degrees apart, the closest conjunction since 1623.
The exact time you can see the Christmas star depends on where you are in the country but it should be visible around 4pm.
The planets will move so close that their brightness will merge to appear as one bright light.
Their alignment, according to astrologers, represents a changing of an era, and a time where we shift our way of viewing the world.
Some people have argued that the Great Conjunction could have been the Biblical Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus.
However, not all Bible experts have accepted this theory.
2
Where can I see the Great Conjunction?
If you want to see the Great Conjunction with Jupiter and Saturn, it is best to be in an open outdoor space where there is minimal light pollution.
You will also need to hope that there are clear skies this evening for the best chance to see the phenomenom.
An hour after sunset - which is at 3.54pm in London - look low down in the western sky and below the Capricornus constellation.
You can also use a number of night sky scanning apps to help point you in the right direction, including SkyView and Star Walk.
What time to watch Great Conjunction in USA?
Star gazers should look at a clear part of southwestern sky around an hour after sunset as the planets will set below the horizon quickly.
The sun sets at different times across the US, including:
- New York: 4.32pm ET
- Orlando: 5.34pm ET
- Chicago: 4.23pm CT
- Las Vegas: 4.30pm PT
- Los Angeles: 4.48pm PT
NASA said in the statement that Saturn will appear slightly above and to the left of Jupiter in the run up to the Great Conjunction on December 21, 2020.
The planets will then reverse their positions in the sky.
Jupiter and Saturn are bright, so they can be seen in areas with clear skies and no cloud cover — and even from most cities across the US.
This also means that the event can be seen with the naked eye - but say binoculars or a small telescope may allow gazers to see Jupiter's four large moons.
For novice stargazers, there are number of apps you can download on your phone to help you spot the phenomenon, including NASA and Sky Safari.
How rare is the Great Conjunction?
The Great conjunction occurs every twenty years or so and is when both Jupiter and Saturn align at the same degree of the zodiac.
Next week's Great Conjunction will not be matched until March 15, 2080, so this might just be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
A Great Conjunction similar to the one we will see on Monday has not been seen for 800 years.
On December 21, the Christmas Star will dip below the horizon by 6.30pm GMT.
MORE SCIENCE NEWS
What else happens on December 21?
In the Northern Hemisphere December 21 usually marks the shortest day of the year.
Because of this it is sometimes regarded as the first day of winter - or the winter solstice.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
In the Southern Hemisphere, December 21 is often the longest day of the year and occurs during the southern summer.
December 21 also means it is 10 days remaining until the end of the year.
Video explains what zodiacal light is - the strange 'pyramid of light' so bright it looks like a 'fake dawn'
Topics