To catch a glimpse of the alignment, look to the southwestern sky about an hour after sunset, according to NASA. Both planets will be visible to the naked eye, but binoculars or a telescope will help you get a better view of the pair.
Where do I look in the sky for the convergence?
To observe the great conjunction look to the southwest shortly after sunset. Jupiter appears brighter than any star in the sky while Saturn, which will appear slightly to the east of Jupiter, is slightly dimmer but has a recognizable golden glow.
Where can conjunctions be seen?
Generally speaking a ‘conjunction’ is the name given to two or more celestial objects close together in the night sky. The most commonly observed conjunctions involve the Moon, often as a crescent in the evening or morning sky, along with any of the bright planets – Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter or Saturn.
Where will Jupiter and Saturn align?
Jupiter and Saturn align for the first time in 800 years. Framed by a large windmill, and a plane passing by with its contrail backlit by the sun, Jupiter and Saturn align for the first time in 800 years on December 21, 2020 in Berthoud, Colorado.
How can I watch the great convergence?
The online observatory Slooh will host another live webcast of the great conjunction, starting at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT). You can watch the event live here on Space.com, courtesy of Slooh, or directly via Slooh’s YouTube channel.
What is the bright white star in the sky?
You really cannot miss Venus after sunset at the moment. If the sky is clear, the planet is visible as an incredibly bright white “star” high in the western sky as darkness falls. The second planet from the sun is presently moving through the constellation of Virgo.
How do I find the great conjunction 2020?
How to see it. To view the astronomical event, skywatchers should point their gaze toward an unobstructed part of the southwestern sky, about an hour after sunset since the planets will set below the horizon quickly. Leading up to the Dec. 21 conjunction, Saturn will appear slightly above and to the left of Jupiter.
Is Neptune visible to human eye?
Dark, cold, and whipped by supersonic winds, ice giant Neptune is the eighth and most distant planet in our solar system. More than 30 times as far from the Sun as Earth, Neptune is the only planet in our solar system not visible to the naked eye.
Where is the Christmas star in 2020?
NASA viewing tips: Finding 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.
