The rare spectacle resulted from a close convergence of the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn that coincided with the winter solstice on Monday, the shortest day of the year. For those able to observe alignment in the clear sky, the two spheres with frozen gas have appeared closer and more vibrant – almost like a single point of light – than ever before in 800 years.
Jupiter – the brightest and largest of the pairs – has been gradually approaching Saturn in the sky for several weeks, as the two planets continue around the sun, each on its own band of a huge celestial racetrack, said Henry Throop, an astronomer at National Aeronautics and Washington Space Administration Headquarters.
“From our point of view, we will be able to see Jupiter in the inner band, approaching Saturn all month and finally surpassing it on December 21,” Throop said in a statement last week.
At the point of convergence, Jupiter and Saturn seemed to be only a tenth of a degree, about the equivalent of the thickness of a penny held at arm’s length. In reality, of course, the planets are hundreds of millions of miles away, according to NASA.
Video transcription
[WIND RUSHING]
[NO AUDIO]