Christmas Star: How Long Can We See It?

how long can christmas star be seen

The Christmas Star, also known as the Star of Bethlehem, is a celestial phenomenon that occurs when Jupiter and Saturn come together, nearly merging in the night sky. This event, known as the Great Conjunction, happens once every 19 to 20 years or so. On December 21, 2020, the two planets appeared closer to each other than they had in nearly 400 years, creating a rare and spectacular sight that hadn't been witnessed at night for almost 800 years. This alignment of Jupiter and Saturn has been interpreted as a possible source of the Star of Bethlehem from the Christian nativity story, where three wise men follow a bright star to Jesus' birthplace. While the exact nature and timing of the Star of Bethlehem remain a matter of debate and speculation, the Great Conjunction of 2020 offered a unique opportunity to witness a celestial event that may have resembled the Christmas Star.

Characteristics Values
Date 21st December 2020
Time 45 minutes after sunset
Location Southwestern sky
Duration 2 hours
Next occurrence 31st October 2040

shunoutdoor

The Christmas Star can be seen on 21 December 2020

On 21 December 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will come together, nearly merging in the sky, in a phenomenon known as the Great Conjunction. This happens roughly once every 20 years. The two giant gas planets will appear a tantalising 0.1º apart—about a fifth of the full Moon’s diameter. It will be the closest approach of Jupiter and Saturn since the early 17th century, when the telescope was invented.

To the naked eye, the two planets will appear to shine almost as one, although Jupiter is much brighter than Saturn. On 21 December, Jupiter will shine at a magnitude of -2.0 while Saturn will be 10 times dimmer at just +0.64.

The event will be best viewed about an hour or so after sunset, but it will also be bright enough to spot 30 minutes to an hour before sunset. It will be visible in the southwestern sky. After about two hours, the Great Conjunction will sink below the horizon.

The Great Conjunction is also known as the Christmas Star because of its connection with the birth of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, a bright star in the sky announces the birth of Jesus. The Star of Bethlehem, as it is also known, inspires the three wise men from the East (or magi) to travel to Jerusalem.

The Great Conjunction of 21 December 2020 is not the only candidate for the Christmas Star. In 3 B.C., Jupiter and Venus came just as close from Earth's point of view, and Venus usually looks brighter from Earth than both Jupiter and Saturn. They then appeared to "merge into a single star" in June 2 B.C.

shunoutdoor

It is the result of a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn

The 'Christmas Star' is the result of a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. This phenomenon is called a ''great conjunction'' because Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in the Solar System.

On December 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn appeared closer to each other than they had in nearly 400 years. This was the closest approach of the two planets since the invention of the telescope in the early 17th century. To the naked eye, the two planets appeared to shine as one, creating the illusion of a single, giant star. This event was also referred to as a ''double planet', as the two planets appeared to merge in the night sky.

The 'great conjunction' of Jupiter and Saturn occurs roughly once every 19 to 20 years. However, the 2020 event was particularly significant because it was the first time in about 400 years that the two planets appeared this close in the night sky at the conjunction. It was also the first time since 1226 that the conjunction was this close and visible at night.

The 'Christmas Star' or ''Star of Bethlehem' has been a subject of fascination for centuries, with astronomers and theologians attempting to link it to unusual celestial events. The Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament mentions the 'star', stating that the ''wise men from the East' were inspired by it to travel to Jerusalem and worship the newborn King of the Jews.

While the exact nature of the 'Christmas Star' remains a mystery, the 'great conjunction' of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21, 2020, provided a rare and spectacular celestial event for skywatchers around the world.

shunoutdoor

The two planets will appear as one bright star

On December 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer to each other than they have in nearly 400 years. This event, known as a "great conjunction", will make the two planets appear as one bright star in the night sky. This will be the closest the two planets have been since 1623, and the best conjunction since 1226.

The two planets will be only 0.1º apart—a fifth of the diameter of the full moon. To the naked eye, they will look like a single bright star, although Jupiter is, in fact, much brighter than Saturn. On December 21, Jupiter will shine at a magnitude of -2.0 while Saturn will be 10 times dimmer at just +0.64.

The best time to view the conjunction will be about an hour or so after sunset on December 21. It will also be bright enough to spot 30 minutes to an hour before sunset. After that, it will dip too far below the horizon to be viewable. The conjunction will be visible in the southwestern sky and will take place low on the horizon. It will only be visible for a couple of hours, so there is no time to waste!

The "great conjunction" is so-called because Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in the solar system. The event is also being referred to as the "Christmas Star" because of its connection with the biblical story of the birth of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, "wise men from the East" are inspired by a star to travel to Jerusalem, where they meet King Herod of Judea. They ask him: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

shunoutdoor

The event will be visible for the first time in 400 years

On December 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer to each other than they have in nearly 400 years. The two planets will be only about a fifth of the full Moon's diameter apart, or 0.1º. This will be the closest the planets have been since the invention of the telescope in the early 17th century. To the naked eye, they will appear to shine as one bright star.

This rare occurrence is known as a "great conjunction" because Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in the Solar System. The event has also been called a "Christmas Star" because it evokes the Star of Bethlehem from the Christian nativity story, in which three wise men follow a star to Jerusalem. There, they meet King Herod and ask him:

> Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.

The Star of Bethlehem has been interpreted as a miraculous sign by many Christians. Astronomers have also attempted to link the star to unusual celestial events, such as a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, a comet, or a supernova.

The 2020 great conjunction will be the first time in 400 years that Jupiter and Saturn will appear this close in the night sky. The last time the two planets were this close was in 1623, but that event was too close to the Sun to be observed. The previous alignment as easy to see as the 2020 event took place in 1226.

To view the great conjunction, it is best to get away from city lights and look just above the southwestern horizon. The best time to view the event will be about an hour after sunset on December 21, but the planets will be visible as early as 30 minutes to an hour before sunset. After that, they will dip too far below the horizon to be seen.

Although the 2020 great conjunction will be a rare treat for sky-watchers, it will not be the last opportunity to view this phenomenon. The next "great conjunction" will take place on October 31, 2040, and another will occur on March 15, 2080.

shunoutdoor

The best viewing time is 45 minutes after sunset

The best time to view the Christmas Star is about 45 minutes after sunset. This is because, after that, the star will dip too far below the horizon to be seen. The Christmas Star is a rare celestial event that occurs when Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in the Solar System, align and appear as one bright star. This phenomenon is called a "great conjunction".

On December 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer to each other than they have in nearly 400 years. The two planets will be only 0.1º apart, which is about a fifth of the full Moon's diameter. This will be the closest approach of the two planets since the invention of the telescope in the early 17th century.

To view the Christmas Star, find out the exact time of sunset in your location and make sure you have a good view low to the southwest horizon about 45 minutes after the sun goes down. You will first see Jupiter emerge in the twilight, followed by Saturn, which will be to its upper right. This will be a historic sight, as most humans will never have the opportunity to witness such an event in their lifetime.

Although the two planets will appear as one bright star to the naked eye, using binoculars or a wide-field telescope will reveal that they are still close together. If you have a high-magnification telescope, you will be treated to a spectacular view of Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud belts, and four of Jupiter's moons (Ganymede, Europa, Callisto, and Io) all in the same field of view.

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime event! Make sure to look up about 45 minutes after sunset on December 21, 2020, to catch the best view of the Christmas Star.

Florida's Good Friday: No Mail Delivery

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

The Christmas Star, also known as the "Great Conjunction", will be visible for a very short time. In fact, you will only be able to see it for about two hours after sunset on December 21, 2020, after which it will sink below the horizon.

The Christmas Star phenomenon happens roughly once every 19 to 20 years. However, the last time the Christmas Star was this close and visible at night was around 800 years ago, in 1226. The next "Great Conjunction" will take place on October 31, 2040.

To view the Christmas Star, it is recommended to get away from city lights and look just above the southwestern horizon. You should look about 45 minutes after sunset on December 21, 2020, but it will also be visible about 30 minutes before sunset.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment