Closet Alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, Culminating on The Night of Dec. 21

Skywatchers are eagerly waiting for watching the evening sky because over the next weeks, the brightest planets Jupiter and Saturn will come together, culminating on the night of Dec. 21.

The planets regularly appear to pass each other in the solar system, with the positions of Jupiter and Saturn being aligned in the sky about once every 20 years. 

The two giant planets of our solar system travel together across the sky and Jupiter caught up to and passed Saturn. This astronomical event is known as Jupiter caught up to and passed Saturn

“You can imagine the solar system to be a racetrack, with each of the planets as a runner in their own lane and the Earth toward the center of the stadium,” said Henry Throop, astronomer in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “From our vantage point, we’ll be able to be to see Jupiter on the inside lane, approaching Saturn all month and finally overtaking it on December 21.”

the closet alignment will appear just for a few days and on 21st of December, they will appear so closely and brightly. 

 

How to Watch This Natural Phenomenon?

The planets will be easy to see with the unaided eye by looking toward the southwest just after sunset. Find a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky, such as a field or park. Jupiter and Saturn are bright, so they can be seen even from most cities. An hour after sunset, look to the southwestern sky. Jupiter will look like a bright star and be easily visible. Saturn will be slightly fainter and will appear slightly above and to the left of Jupiter until December 21, when Jupiter will overtake it and they will reverse positions in the sky. The planets can be seen with the unaided eye, but if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to see Jupiter’s four large moons orbiting the giant planet.

 

                  ( Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

 

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