To understand what the great conjunction is, you need to understand what exactly is about to happen today. Jupiter, the planet that orbits the sun once every 12 years, is going to overtake the slower-moving Saturn today. Their visual convergence is called the great conjunction. This particular thing only happens every two decades. Though sometimes, the pairing appears too close to the sun to be seen. Jupiter and Saturn don’t usually get as close as they are going to be on December 21, 2020.Talking about the same, Jupiter and Saturn, the slow-moving planets, will come the closest to one another where they will be 0.1 degrees apart. Known as the great conjunction was last observed in 1623 and will only take place in 2080.
– NASA says the timing of the conjunction will be such that everyone around the world will be able to view it.
– Both the planets will appear so close to each other that a pinkie finger at arm’s length will be enough to cover both the planets in the sky.
– If you happen to view through a telescope, Jupiter’s four large moons orbiting the plant will also be seen.
– The great conjunction will be visible nearly an hour after sunset in the southwestern sky. – In India, the conjunction will be visible between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. – This conjunction is being called Christmas star because even though both the planets will be apart, they will very much appear as one big star. It is believed to be the Christmas star or the Star of Bethlehem, which appeared in the eastern sky when Jesus Christ was born. The Book of Mattew mentions this start which according to the Bible led the three wise men to Jerusalem. – The conjunction will also coincide with the December solstice which is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and the longest day in the southern.