Thread by @BiIndia

#Jupiter and #Saturn will reunite after 800 years on the shortest day of the year to form a rare '#ChristmasStar'

businessinsider.in/science/space/…

By @pabsgill

@pabsgill #Jupiter and #Saturn are set to reunite tonight, on the night of the winter solstice, for the first time in 800 years.

#ChristmasStar

@pabsgill The winter solstice, set to occur today, on December 21, will see these two planets align for the first time since the middle ages. The last time such a December conjunction took place was back in 1226.

#ChristmasStar #Jupiter #Saturn

The two planets will inch closer to each other until they’re only a tenth of a degree apart in the night sky, which is roughly the same thickness as a coin, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (#NASA).

#ChristmasStar #Jupiter #Saturn

This phenomenon is being called the ‘#ChristmasStar’ or the ‘Star of Bethlehem’ due to the proximity of the event to #Christmas.

#Jupiter #Saturn

To be fair, #Jupiter and #Saturn align every 20 years or so. The event is dubbed the ‘great conjunction’. However, this year is the first time they’ll be lining up in the month of December and it’s the closest the planets have been since 1623.

#ChristmasStar

Even though #Jupiter and #Saturn will be 400 million miles apart, they’ll create a radiant point of light in the night sky from Earth’s point of view.

In India, the conjunction is likely to be visible between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm.

#ChristmasStar

So while the wait will be shorter this time around, for most adults, this is still a once in a lifetime opportunity.

#ChristmasStar #Saturn #Jupiter