Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction - Dec 21, 2020
Just after sunset on Monday, December 21, 2020, our two largest planets will come closer to each other than they have in almost 400 years. A conjunction happens when planets appear very close to one another in the sky because they line up with Earth in their respective orbits. Over the past few weeks, Jupiter has been closing in on Saturn's position. And on December 21st they will be the closest since 1623.
Will they appear as a single "Christmas Star"? Not likely. If you have good eyesight you should be able to make out two distinct points of light, with Jupiter outshining Saturn by 10 times in relative brightness. Look southwest, about a half-hour after sunset (5:15 pm). The planet duo should be visible in the darkening sky. You will need a clear view as the pair will only be 15 degrees above the horizon. Binoculars and small telescopes will reveal a splendid sight, and with sufficient magnification you'll be able to see both planets — Saturn with its famous ring system and Jupiter with its cloud bands and Galilean satellites — simultaneously in the same field of view!
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| Typical field of view in a moderate telescope at 350x |
I will be attempting to photograph this event from my location in Maryland. Using a William Optics GT102 refractor and ASI462 camera I should be able to capture both planets in the same frame.
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