by McKenzie Stauffer, KUTV
For the first time in 800 years, the "Christmas Star" or "Star of Bethlehem" will be visible in the nighttime sky. (Photo: Angeleses / Pixabay)
(KUTV) — For the first time in 800 years, the "Christmas Star" or "Star of Bethlehem" will be visible in the night sky.
During the upcoming winter solstice on Dec. 21, Jupiter and Saturn will align to create the bright star of wonder, Forbes reported.
The two planets have not appeared this close together since the Middle Ages.
“Alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once every 20 years or so, but this conjunction is exceptionally rare because of how close the planets will appear to be to one another,” Patrick Hartigan, astronomer at Rice University, told Forbes.
You’d have to go all the way back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226, to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky.
According to Forbes, a star-sighting of this magnitude won't happen again until 2080.
The star will be visible in the southwest portion of the sky about 45 minutes after sunset in the northern hemisphere on Dec. 21. However, sightings of the star may be visible throughout the week.
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of astronomy, I can affirm the significance of the upcoming celestial event mentioned in the article by McKenzie Stauffer from KUTV. The convergence of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21, 2020, leading to the creation of the "Christmas Star" or "Star of Bethlehem," is indeed a rare occurrence with a historical rarity of 800 years.
This rare celestial event is not merely a random alignment but a conjunction where the two gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, will be exceptionally close in the night sky. Alignments between these planets are generally infrequent, happening once every 20 years or so. However, the upcoming conjunction stands out due to the unprecedented proximity of the two planets.
To provide some evidence supporting this claim, Patrick Hartigan, an astronomer at Rice University, is cited in the article. Hartigan explains that while such alignments happen roughly every two decades, the closeness of Jupiter and Saturn in this conjunction makes it exceptionally rare. The last time these planets were so closely aligned was just before dawn on March 4, 1226, adding a historical context to the event.
The article mentions that the "Christmas Star" will be visible in the southwest portion of the sky approximately 45 minutes after sunset in the northern hemisphere on December 21. It is fascinating to note that the article suggests sightings of this celestial spectacle might extend throughout the week, providing an opportunity for sky gazers to witness and capture this rare event.
For those interested in experiencing this astronomical marvel, it's essential to mark the date, December 21, on the calendar, as such a close alignment of Jupiter and Saturn won't occur again until 2080, according to Forbes.
In conclusion, the convergence of Jupiter and Saturn to form the "Christmas Star" is a celestial phenomenon with a deep historical and astronomical significance, supported by the insights of astronomers like Patrick Hartigan. The rarity of this event adds to its allure, making it a must-watch for sky enthusiasts and a noteworthy moment in the realm of astronomy.
