Friday, December 11th, 2020

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The December 2020 Great Conjunction
The year 2020 will end with a special astronomical event: the closest great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 397 years. On December 21, the two planets will almost touch in the sky.
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A few days before December 21, a thin Crescent Moon will pass close to Jupiter and Saturn in the sky. In the Western Hemisphere, the Moon will be closest to the two planets on December 16. In the Eastern Hemisphere, it will be closest on December 17.

On December 21, the day of the conjunction, Jupiter and Saturn will be separated by a mere 0.1 degrees, and may appear as a single bright “star.” The two planets are completely merged together on our Night Sky Map for this date, although a careful observer should be able to separate them in the sky with the naked eye. It will be the closest great conjunction since July 16, 1623.

The pair of planets will become visible at twilight, close to the southwestern horizon in the Northern Hemisphere, or the western horizon in the Southern Hemisphere. They will set within a couple of hours or so, so it is important to have a clear view toward the horizon.


So, reminder to self:
Next Wednesday the 16th after sunset! Moon, planets!
And then the Monday, planets!
(oh dear, weather forecast not looking good for Wednesday. I'd best look outside every night.)

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