The great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 2020, sometimes called the Christmas star, inspired a lot of skyscrapers to go out on Monday night to take a look at the rare event. Ed Piotrowski, chief meteorologist for WPDE-TV in South Carolina, was one of many who shared a spectacular view.
“The great combination of Jupiter and Saturn through my telescope immediately after 18:00,” he said in a photo tweet. “4 of Jupiter’s moons; Europa, Ganymede, Io and Callisto and Saturn’s moon Titan visible.”
A conjunction in astronomy occurs when two objects appear close together in the sky when they are observed from Earth, and a large conjunction specifically involves Jupiter and Saturn. The 2020 event is the closest observable conjunction between the two from 1226, and the two planets will not come together again until 2080.
You can hear the conjunction called the Christmas star. This is because some claim that a similar planetary encounter created the legendary Star of Bethlehem that led the biblical Magi, also known as the three sages, to the Child of Christ. Not everyone accepts this – astronomy educator and former director of the planetarium, Jeffrey Hunt, said that “there are other planetary alignments that could explain the Star of Bethlehem” – but it adds an opportune element to this dazzling December.
And if you missed it on Monday, you can go out at night until Christmas Eve. The planets will remain close until December 24.
Whether you go outside to see the conjunction or not, you can appreciate the photos taken and shared by many spectators. Some, such as Piotrowski, noticed that they were stacking the images (taking several photos with different focus points and combining them) and many described the configuration of the camera they were using.
some images from different places around the world of the phenomenon known as # Great conjunction which currently takes place, during which time Jupiter and Saturn converge to the maximum extent 🤩
this phenomenon will not be repeated until 2080 pic.twitter.com/Mxh8LMf1y6– Asma 🇩🇿 (@ 13Semsouma) December 21, 2020
Wow! # Great conjunction from Tampa. Jupiter’s moons from top to bottom. Callisto, Io, Ganymede (almost touching Jupiter) and Europe below him. See Rhea and Titan, the two months of Saturn. Equipment: Sony a7r4 with GM 10-400 lens with 2X teleconverter. 📷 Frank Delargy pic.twitter.com/B6PY9UVqnq
– Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX (@ PaulFox13) December 22, 2020
The great conjunction. Jupiter and the largest 4 months (550 million miles away) and Saturn (1 billion miles away). Image of the telescope in Melbourne, Australia by Sajal Chakravorty pic.twitter.com/q5971CTD4A
– Tom Kierein (@TomKierein) December 22, 2020
And they were really pretty good jokes.
I don’t want Jupiter to align with Saturn. I want it to align with Mars. Then peace will guide the planet … and love will rule the stars.
– Duncan Stuart (@duncan_stuart) December 22, 2020
Of course, NASA got involved in the fun, with a shot that only they could deliver. “This is not a star, there are two planets! The Great Conjunction looks great on the moon! “, read a tweet.
Unfortunately, not everyone had a wonderful view of the great conjunction. “We have cloudy skies in Toronto and we don’t see anything,” a Twitter user wrote. “Disappointing.”
Wow. Amazing. We have cloudy skies in Toronto and we don’t see anything. Disappointing.
– lanamy01 (@cochraf) December 22, 2020
Unfortunately here in Minneapolis, Minnesota the weather would not cooperate. Clouds in the way of seeing the Great Conjunction.
– Linda Levin (@shirameanssong) December 21, 2020
And in a year of unprecedented pain and sorrow for many, the great conjunction has made some people think deeply about our place in the universe.
“Nice night sky,” wrote a Twitter user. “I look at (this) and I think. It’s mandatory to have life there somewhere.”
Another wrote, “Brilliant. I’m crying to look at this. Something much bigger and more beautiful than what’s on earth right now.”
Nice night sky. I look at this and think. There must be life there somewhere
– Darren Taylor (@ DarrenT06578985) December 22, 2020
Brilliant. I’m crying looking at this. Something much bigger and more beautiful than what is here on earth right now. Jupiter, Europe, Io, Callisto, Gannymede and Saturn.
– Elaine Calder (@calder_elaine) December 22, 2020
Use our tips to try to discover the great conjunction until Christmas Eve, December 24th.