Jupiter and Saturn closest for years

21 December 2020 - a rare event to watch out for!

Jupiter is 0.1° south of Saturn - only 6.1 arcminutes, so

they will look like one planet to the naked eye. They will both fit within the field of view of a moderate scope or binocular.

Saturn and Jupiter are two of the five planets visible to the unaided eye in the night sky. Jupiter is particularly bright, appearing as a brilliant point of white light in the sky, while Saturn is a fainter dull white object, yet still about as bright as a typical bright star. Every 20 years or so Jupiter and Saturn align (i.e. "are in conjunction"), and during those years these planets can make a beautiful pair in the sky. 

Simply put, a conjunction is when two objects line up in the sky. But that alignment is never perfect, as the orbits for planets like Jupiter and Saturn are tilted slightly relative to one another, so what we really want to say is that a conjunction occurs when planets come close together and then move apart.

The next great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be 21 December 2020. That date is, coincidentally, the date of the December solstice.

Look just after Sunset, as the pair will be relatively close to the Sun. Follow the Jupiter and Saturn now, and you will see them getting closer together. Ending up as a bright close pair in the evening Sunset. The star of Bethlehem?

A previous close conjunction was 16 July 1623 where Jupiter and Saturn were 5.2 arc minutes away. Don't think anyone saw, as it was only 12.9 degrees from the Sun.

The next close conjunction is 15 March 2080 and the separation is 6.0 arc minutes. It will be in the early morning before Sunrise and 43.7 from the Sun. So better visibility ... if you can get out of bed.

Enjoy this rare event and have a nice Christmas!

PS: Image Sky @ Night