POLOKWANE – Star gazers are in for a rare treat tonight as two of the biggest planets in the solar system will form the “Christmas Star”. This is the closest the two planets have been in nearly 400 years.
According to Nasa, the phenomenon is an especially vibrant planetary conjunction easily visible in the evening sky over the next two weeks as the bright planets Jupiter and Saturn come together.
The last time the phenomenon was visible from Earth was 1226 AD and their next pairing is expected on 15 March 2080.
The Great Conjunction also coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the southern hemisphere, marking the start of moving towards winter.
Nasa, suggests finding a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky, such as a field or park. “Jupiter and Saturn are bright, so they can be seen even from most cities,” their Tumblr post reads.
Here’s what you can do to see the star:
- An hour after sunset, look to the West. Jupiter will look like a bright star and be easily visible. Saturn will be slightly fainter and will appear slightly above and to the left of Jupiter until 21 December, when Jupiter will overtake it and they will reverse positions in the sky.
- The planets can be seen with the unaided eye, but if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to see Jupiter’s four large moons orbiting the giant planet.
Each night, the two planets will appear closer low in the southwest in the hour after sunset as illustrated in the below graphic:
Nasa also suggests the following for photographing the phenomenon:
- Saturn and Jupiter are easy to see without special equipment, and can be photographed easily on DSLR cameras and many cell phone cameras.
- These planets are visible in the early evening, and you’ll have about 1-2 hours from when they are visible, to when they set. A photo from the same location can look completely different just an hour later!
- Using a tripod will help you hold your camera steady while taking longer exposures. If you don’t have a tripod, brace your camera against something – a tree, a fence, or a car can all serve as a tripod for a several-second exposure.
- The crescent Moon will pass near Jupiter and Saturn a few days before the conjunction. Take advantage of it in your composition.
You can learn more below:
