The "Christmas Star" Conjunction

[Winston]

Info from a combination of sources. Start watching not long after sunset because they won't be above the horizon for long. :

In the northern hemisphere, just after sunset, look in the southwest sky and you'll be able to see the two neighboring lights above the horizon. For many Americans, by 7-8 PM local time, the two lights will disappear below the horizon. While looking in the SW sky, Jupiter will be on the left and Saturn will be on the right.

Jupiter and Saturn will be about 0.1 degree away from each other, making them appear basically as one bright light in the sky. For perspective, the width of the full moon is about 0.5 degrees.

The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn takes place roughly every 20 years. However the last time these two came within a 0.1 degree of each other, was back in 1623. They could not see this conjunction as well because the two planets aligned near the sun, blinding them from any chance of seeing it.

 

[prfesser]

Crossing my fingers, hoping that the weather forecast for Monday stays at "sunny and clear".

 

[Antares JS]

I watched a documentary a while ago that claimed the actual Christmas Star may have been a conjuction of Venus and Jupiter. Imagine how bright THAT would be.

 

[0011001100]

One of my roommates and I have a telescope ready to go and will try and photograph it. They are already close together and can see them both in one shot with a low magnification.

 

[Bill S]

I'd love to see it, but as usually happens around here, it'll either be cloudy or raining on the date.

 

[teepot]

I saw them last night. The cresent moon just underneath. It was great.

 

[Blast it Tom!]

Thanks for the reminder, from (currently very cloudy) western Pennsylvania! My 'scope isn't built yet, but I can do pretty good with my Nikon on a tripod...

 

[proflaser]

I got this shot tonight 12/18 with a 1000mm lens. You've got to be a real astronomer to get excited about two blobs in an eyepiece.

 

[teepot]

I have been watching them for months. I have an 8 inch dobsonian. I can make out the colors on Jupiter and the ring around Saturn. I told my buddy about it and that he should take a look. That is a once in a lifetime event. And he said , so what do they do. So yes, you already have to be a sky watcher to get excited about this. Here is my picture.

 

[NOLA_BAR]

The last 2 nights have been crystal clear, so I’ve been out observing with my small refractor.

 

[Blast it Tom!]

Blast it all! Cloudy and rainy!

 

[NOLA_BAR]

Lots of high thin clouds, but was still able to see it in telescope.

 

[David_Stack]

Clouds all day here in Williamsburg, but just in time it cleared off (mostly) and we were able to get a decent view (Swift spotting scope (65mm objective lens IIRC)). Should have ventured out sooner as it was not long before they were obscured by trees.

 

[Peartree]

Clouds and rain today, heavy fog yesterday. No Joy in Ohio.

 

[teepot]

Clear here. Was just looking at them through my 8" telescope. Very cool.

 

[aerostadt]

I didn't get the telescope out, but did use the 20 x 80 binoculars. So, I can see the two planets, but not much more. The conjunction is near the horizon and I am looking through a lot of atmosphere and we had air pollution today.

 

[jsdemar]

 

[MClark]

Check out google header.
Pretty cool

 

[manixFan]

Taken with Nikon Z6 and a Nikkor 200-500mm zoom lens, from the Dallas, TX area on December 21st. Front yard with tons of lights all around. Using the remote app to activate the shutter made a big difference.


Tony

 

[AfterBurners]

Got a text from my neighbor tonight.

Good evening my wife took out her telescope were able to see the rings on Saturn

 

[lakeroadster]

Like almost everything else in 2020... it was way over hyped. Clear as could be here, just looked like a bright star, with a not so bright star close to it.

 

[NateB]

Overcast here tonight. Jupiter has been bright and both planets were extra bright in my NVGs over the weekend.

 

[user 13]

I saw it very nice. 38000ft over southwest Oregon just after sunset. We could clearly see Saturn and Jupiter.

Very cool!

manixfan, Great photos!

 

[dlb]

From my friend of mine in Argentina.
This is a great photo.

Meade LX200 uhtc 10.
Zwo asi 224 mc.
Cannon 6d
Two 5 min exposures

 

[AfterBurners]

From my friend of mine in Argentina.
This is a great photo.View attachment 443509

Oh man that's cool!!!

 

[SCooke123]

What a cool picture!!

 

[BABAR]

Saw it with naked eye and binocs. Not good enough to make out the moons or rings, but still pretty cool!

 

[tsmmiller]

From my friend of mine in Argentina.
This is a great photo.View attachment 443509

Very cool picture! My 6 yo was upset because all we have (as usual) is wind and rain. I showed him this and he was very excited!

 

[Blast it Tom!]

From my friend of mine in Argentina.
This is a great photo.View attachment 443509

No, that's a jaw-dropping photo! I'd like to know the specs on THAT 'scope! Thanks for sharing that... all we had were clouds and rain.

 

[Greg Furtman]

I was clouded out here in NW Wisconsin.