Connect with us

Uncategorized

‘Great Conjunction’ of Jupiter and Saturn will be the closest in nearly 800 years

Published

on

MEDFORD, Ore. – On the evening of the winter solstice, the planets of Jupiter and Saturn will appear so close to each other in the night sky that they will look like a “double planet” in the night sky. This great conjunction, as the planetary alignment of Jupiter and Saturn has come to be known, will be special and very rare. This sight hasn’t been seen in nearly 800 years.

The orbits of Jupiter and Saturn align every 20 years. According to NASA, this is because Jupiter orbits the sun every 12 years while Saturn’s orbit takes 30 years. So every couple of decades, Jupiter laps Saturn. When this happens, it creates a “conjunction” in the sky, or a meeting of two objects in the night sky. However, these great conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn aren’t all created equal.

Aligning with the winter solstice this year on December 21st, 2020, the two planets will be the closest since 1623. However, this will be the closest that’s actually observable for us on Earth since medieval times back in 1226! Jupiter and Saturn will be 0.1 degrees apart, which is less than the diameter of a full moon. Some experts say it may look like an “elongated star” or a “double planet”. Since it’s been centuries since we’ve seen a view like this in the night sky, we’ll have to look and see for sure on December 21st. Now while they’ll appear super close with the naked eye, they’re in reality still hundreds of millions of miles apart.

Provided clear skies, the great conjunction will be shining brightly shorty after sunset. You’ll want to look low in the southwestern sky on that evening of December 21st about one hour after sunset. Unlike stars, which twinkle, both planets will hold consistent brightness and should be easy to find in the sky. Jupiter currently appears brighter than any star in the sky and Saturn will appear just to the east of Jupiter, just slightly dimmer and smaller. Don’t wait too long though that night, the two planets will eventually sink below the horizon. In the days leading up to the big event, you’ll be able to look up and see the two planets getting closer and closer together.

This will be the “greatest” great conjunction for the next 60 years, on March 15th, 2080. After that great conjunction, the pair won’t make such a close approach until sometime after the year 2400.

Will skies be clear our cloudy on the evening of Monday, December 21st, 2020? At this point skies should be mainly clear for most places east of the Cascades and in central and eastern Siskiyou County. It’s possible we may see enough breaks in the clouds to see it in the Rogue Valley. Skies will likely be cloudy though in Josephine and Curry Counties. The StormWatch 12 weather team will keep you posted on the forecast for this big event!

You may also like…

Crime & Safety3 hours ago

Woman who cIaimed seIf-defense after kiIIing the father of her chiId, when she foIIowed the man when she became upset because the victim repeatedIy vandaIized her vehicIe, only to fataIIy shoot him, is convicted

Florida – A Florida woman was convicted of mansIaughter with a firearm in the shooting death of her former partner...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Police Department hosts family-friendly Halloween event at Marquis Assisted Living

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Department is partnering with The Marquis Assisted Living and Memory Care to host a safe,...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to two-vehicle crash at 13th and Polk

Eugene, OR – Just after 2 p.m. on Friday, October 4, Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a two-vehicle crash at...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire contained structure fire at Brails restaurant early Sunday

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a reported structure fire at Brails restaurant near downtown Eugene just before...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire joined community for annual fire safety event at Jerry’s

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire partnered with the community at the annual Jerry’s Home Improvement fire safety event held...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Man who cIaimed he had ingested iIIegaI drugs that were not what he expected and bIamed his actions on their effects after using a heavy tooI to strike his spouse, infIicting fataI injuries, the second maritaI partner he kiIIed, is sentenced

Massachusetts – A Massachusetts man was ordered to spend the next twenty five years to Iife in state prison after...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Dad who cIaimed he was often not at home and able to deaI with daiIy tasks because of his job after his chiId was Ieft to fend for herseIf untiI her untimeIy death from a preventabIe medicaI condition, was convicted

Indiana – An Indiana parent, 39-year-old B. BredhoId, was convicted earlier this week by a jury for negIect of a dependent...

Oregon1 week ago

Oregon State Police seek public’s help after 16 salmon dumped at Cathedral Park

Oregon –  The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Police Department to host officer hiring workshop October 4

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department will host a Police Officer Hiring Workshop on Saturday, October 4, at 11:00...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Airport expands non-stop services ahead of fall and winter travel season

Eugene, OR – As fall and winter approach, Eugene Airport announced expanded non-stop services and additional travel options for passengers....

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Mom, who was seen by her chiId pIacing toiIet paper in her disabIed 8-year-oId’s mouth before the chiId was struck in the head by her girIfriend, resuIting in fataI injuries, before both women took steps to conceaI the death and dispose of the body, was sentenced

Georgia – A Georgia woman was ordered to spend the rest of her Iife behind bars after pIeading guiIty to...

Trending