The great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 2020, also called the poinsettia, inspired many skygazers to go outside on Monday evening to get a glimpse of the rare event. Ed Piotrowski, chief meteorologist for WPDE-TV in South Carolina, was one of many to share spectacular views.
“The amazing combination of Jupiter and Saturn through my telescope just after 6pm,” he said in a photo tweet. “4 of Jupiter’s moons; Europa, Ganymede, Io & Callisto, and Saturn’s Titan moon visible.”
A conjunction in astronomy occurs when two objects appear close to each other in the sky when observed from Earth, and a major conjunction is specifically related to Jupiter and Saturn. The 2020 event is the closest observable conjunction of the two since the 1226, and the two planets won’t get that close again until 2080.
You may hear the combination called the poinsettia. That’s because some argue that a similar planetary gathering created the legendary Star of Bethlehem that led the biblical magicians, also known as the three wise men, to the Christ child. Not everyone accepts that – astronomy educator and former planetarium director Jeffrey Hunt said “there are other planetary alignments that could explain the star of Bethlehem” – but it adds a timely element to this December dazzle.
And if you missed it on Monday, you can go out in the evening until Christmas Eve. The planets will stay comfortably close until December 24.
Whether or not you go out to watch the conjunction, you can appreciate the photos taken and shared by many viewers. Some, like Piotrowski, noted that they stacked the images (taking multiple photos with different focus points and combining them) and many described the camera settings they used.
some photos from different places in the world of the phenomenon known as #GreatConjunction this is happening right now, when Jupiter and Saturn converge to the maximum 🤩
this phenomenon will not repeat itself until 2080 pic.twitter.com/Mxh8LMf1y6– Asma 🇩🇿 (@ 13Semsouma) December 21, 2020
Wow! #GreatConjunction from Tampa. Jupiter moons from top to bottom. Callisto, Io, Ganymede (almost against Jupiter) and Europa below. View Rhea and Titan, Saturn’s two moons. Equipment: Sony a7r4 with 10-400 GM lens with 2x teleconverter. 📷 Frank Delargy pic.twitter.com/B6PY9UVqnq
– Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX (@ PaulFox13) December 22, 2020
Great combination. Jupiter and its 4 largest moons (550 million miles away) and Saturn (1 billion miles away). Telescope photo from Melbourne, Australia by Sajal Chakravorty pic.twitter.com/q5971CTD4A
– Tom Kierein (@TomKierein) December 22, 2020
And there were even some pretty good jokes.
I don’t want Jupiter to align with Saturn. I want it to match Mars. Then Peace will guide the planet … and love will guide the stars.
– Duncan Stuart (@duncan_stuart) December 22, 2020
Of course, NASA joined in the fun, with an opportunity only they could provide. “That’s not a star, it’s two planets! TheGreatConjunction looks great from the moon! “read a tweet.
Unfortunately, not everyone got a good view of the great conjunction. “We have overcast skies in Toronto and cannot see anything,” wrote one Twitter user. “Disappointing.”
Wow. Astonishing. We have overcast skies in Toronto and cannot see anything. Disappointing.
– lanamy01 (@cochraf) December 22, 2020
Unfortunately, the weather here in Minneapolis, Minnesota was not cooperative. Clouds in the way to see the Great Conjunction.
– Linda Levin (@shirameanssong) December 21, 2020
And in a year of unprecedented pain and sorrow for many, the great conjunction made some people think deeply about our place in the universe.
“Beautiful night sky,” wrote a Twitter user. “I look at (that) and think. There must be life somewhere.”
Another wrote, “Brilliant. I cry looking at this. Something so much bigger and more beautiful than what is here on Earth now.”
Beautiful night sky. I look at it and think. There must be life out there somewhere
– Darren Taylor (@ DarrenT06578985) December 22, 2020
Brilliant. I cry watching this. Something so much bigger and more beautiful than what is here on Earth now. Jupiter, Europa, Io, Callisto, Gannymede and Saturn.
– Elaine Calder (@calder_elaine) December 22, 2020
Use our tips to try to see the great conjunction through Christmas Eve, December 24th.