7 ‘Christmas Star’ Skywatching Tips As Jupiter And Saturn Dazzle The World
“5.) Marvel at Saturn’s rings! Saturn is 15% smaller than Jupiter and twice as distant, but its enormous rings cause Saturn to apparently exceed Jupiter’s diameter.”
Forget about a once-in-a-lifetime event. Tonight, December 21st, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will reach their closest approach in Earth’s skies in 397 years, and the closest approach visible from Earth (that isn’t lost in the Sun’s glare) since the year 1226! Just head outside after sunset, about 30-45 minutes after, and the first “star” you see emerge in the southwest skies will be Jupiter, just 0.1 degrees away from Saturn.
Here are some tips and fun facts you might not get anywhere else, and most of all, wishing you clear skies tonight!
