Witness the Great Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction in 2020: A Rare Celestial Event

The night skies on December 21, 2020, will witness a rare celestial event - the Great Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction. This event occurs when the two planets Jupiter and Saturn appear to be at their closest in the night sky, a phenomenon that happens only once every 20 years. This year's conjunction will be particularly remarkable, making it the closest approach in nearly 400 years!

Closest Approach in 397 Years

The conjunction will occur just 0.1 degrees apart, or 6.1 arcminutes, which is about one-fifth the apparent width of the Moon. This means that they will be so close that you can hide both planets behind your pinky finger. The exact moment of conjunction will be at some distance from the Moon, as illustrated below.

A Brief History of Celestial Conjunctions

The last such conjunction visible from Earth was on July 16, 1623, which is 397 years ago. However, this event was visible primarily from the Southern Hemisphere. The farthest back in time we can trace a similar event is on March 5, 1226, which is nearly 800 years ago, a period when astronomy was still in its infancy.

When and Where to Watch

The conjunction will be visible in the southwestern sky just after sunset. In Kolkata, the best time to catch this event will be between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM IST, provided that clear skies are in place. If you are in London, sunset will occur at 15:53 local time, so the best viewing time will be shortly after.

Observing the Celestial Event

To witness this phenomenon, all you need is a clear view of the night sky. Though both Jupiter and Saturn are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope will enhance your experience. Here are some useful apps that can help you locate the planets:

Skysafari Star Walk 2 SkyPortal Starchart

Additional Celestial Events on the Horizon

Along with the Great Conjunction, the Ursid meteor shower, which has been active since December 17, will also peak on December 21-22. This adds to the excitement of the winter sky!

If you are keen on checking out the planets, keep your eyes peeled for the most spectacular event in planetary astronomy for nearly half a millennium! Don't miss the opportunity to witness this historic celestial event.