Jupiter and Saturn will form the first ‘double planet’ in 800 years

from
https://wtop.com/science/2020/12/jup...-in-800-years/
(by going to the citation you can see pictures & video.)

Jupiter and Saturn will form the first ‘double planet’ in 800 years

CBS News | @CBSNews
December 3, 2020, 12:16 PM

Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App |
103.5 FM
▶ Watch Video: NASA says Saturn’s rings are disappearing as they’re
pulled in by gravity

Before 2020 comes to a close, Jupiter and Saturn will be so close that
they will appear to form a “double planet.� The great conjunction, as
the planetary alignment has come to be known, hasn’t occurred in nearly
800 years.


When their orbits align every 20 years, Jupiter and Saturn get extremely
close to one another. This occurs because Jupiter orbits the sun every
12 years, while Saturn’s orbit takes 30 years — every couple of decades,
Saturn is lapped by Jupiter, according to NASA.


However, 2020’s conjunction is especially rare — the planets haven’t
been observed this close together since medieval times, in 1226.

“Alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once
every 20 years or so, but this conjunction is exceptionally rare because
of how close the planets will appear to one another,� Rice University
astronomer Patrick Hartigan said in a statement. “You’d have to go all
the way back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226, to see a closer
alignment between these objects visible in the night sky.�

Aligning with the solstice on Dec. 21, the two planets will be just 0.1
degrees apart — less than the diameter of a full moon, EarthSky says.

The word “conjunction� is used by astronomers to describe the meeting of
objects in the night sky, and the great conjunction occurs between the
two largest planets in our solar system: Jupiter and Saturn. The planets
will be so close, they will appear to overlap completely, creating a
rare “double planet� effect.

How to watch the great conjunction
During the last great conjunction in 2000, Jupiter and Saturn were so
close to the sun that the event was difficult to observe. But
skywatchers should have a clearer view of the celestial event this time
around.

The great conjunction will be shining bright shortly after sunset, low
in the southwestern sky, as viewed from the Northern hemisphere, NASA says.

Through the entirety of December, skywatchers will easily be able to
spot the two planets. For the next three weeks, you can look up each
evening to watch them get closer and closer in the sky.

Jupiter currently appears brighter than any star in the sky. Saturn is
slightly dimmer, but still just as bright as the brightest stars, with a
recognizable golden glow.

Saturn will appear just to the east of Jupiter, and will even look as
close to the planet as some of its own moons. Unlike stars, which
twinkle, both planets will hold consistent brightness, easy to find on
clear nights.

The event is observable from anywhere on Earth, provided the sky is
clear. “The further north a viewer is, the less time they’ll have to
catch a glimpse of the conjunction before the planets sink below the
horizon,� Hartigan said.

The planets will appear extremely close for about of month, giving
skywatchers plenty of time to witness the spectacular alignment
throughout the holiday season. The event aligns with the December
solstice, marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere.


This will be the “greatest� great conjunction for the next 60 years,
until 2080. Hartigan said that, following that conjunction, the duo
won’t make such a close approach until sometime after the year 2400.

a425couple wrote:
from
https://wtop.com/science/2020/12/jup...-in-800-years/
(by going to the citation you can see pictures & video.)

Jupiter and Saturn will form the first ?double planet? in 800 years

CBS News | @CBSNews
December 3, 2020, 12:16 PM

Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App |
103.5 FM
? Watch Video: NASA says Saturn?s rings are disappearing as they?re
pulled in by gravity

Before 2020 comes to a close, Jupiter and Saturn will be so close that
they will appear to form a ?double planet.? The great conjunction, as
the planetary alignment has come to be known, hasn?t occurred in nearly
800 years.


When their orbits align every 20 years, Jupiter and Saturn get extremely
close to one another. This occurs because Jupiter orbits the sun every
12 years, while Saturn?s orbit takes 30 years ? every couple of decades,
Saturn is lapped by Jupiter, according to NASA.



Is there any way to view a stream of this? What about advice for people
in the Burbank/Glendale area in California? I just walked outside at around
4:50pm (about early sunset) and didn't see anything except blue sky, clouds
and a small sliver of moon. I'll step out again in a few minutes, but I
thought I'd ask in case anyone has advice to give.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 5:29:50 PM UTC-8, Anson Carmichael wrote:
a425couple wrote:
from
https://wtop.com/science/2020/12/jup...-in-800-years/
(by going to the citation you can see pictures & video.)

Jupiter and Saturn will form the first ?double planet? in 800 years

CBS News | @CBSNews
December 3, 2020, 12:16 PM

Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App |
103.5 FM
? Watch Video: NASA says Saturn?s rings are disappearing as they?re
pulled in by gravity

Before 2020 comes to a close, Jupiter and Saturn will be so close that
they will appear to form a ?double planet.? The great conjunction, as
the planetary alignment has come to be known, hasn?t occurred in nearly
800 years.


When their orbits align every 20 years, Jupiter and Saturn get extremely
close to one another. This occurs because Jupiter orbits the sun every
12 years, while Saturn?s orbit takes 30 years ? every couple of decades,
Saturn is lapped by Jupiter, according to NASA.


Is there any way to view a stream of this? What about advice for people
in the Burbank/Glendale area in California? I just walked outside at around
4:50pm (about early sunset) and didn't see anything except blue sky, clouds
and a small sliver of moon. I'll step out again in a few minutes, but I
thought I'd ask in case anyone has advice to give.

Tonight Jupiter and Saturn were almost directly "above" the moon and easy to see... but tomorrow the moon will have moved on about 12 or 13 degrees...

On 12/16/2020 5:29 PM, Anson Carmichael wrote:
a425couple wrote:
from
https://wtop.com/science/2020/12/jup...-in-800-years/
(by going to the citation you can see pictures & video.)

Jupiter and Saturn will form the first ?double planet? in 800 years

CBS News | @CBSNews
December 3, 2020, 12:16 PM

Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App |
103.5 FM
? Watch Video: NASA says Saturn?s rings are disappearing as they?re
pulled in by gravity

Before 2020 comes to a close, Jupiter and Saturn will be so close that
they will appear to form a ?double planet.? The great conjunction, as
the planetary alignment has come to be known, hasn?t occurred in nearly
800 years.


When their orbits align every 20 years, Jupiter and Saturn get extremely
close to one another. This occurs because Jupiter orbits the sun every
12 years, while Saturn?s orbit takes 30 years ? every couple of decades,
Saturn is lapped by Jupiter, according to NASA.



Is there any way to view a stream of this? What about advice for people
in the Burbank/Glendale area in California? I just walked outside at around
4:50pm (about early sunset) and didn't see anything except blue sky, clouds
and a small sliver of moon. I'll step out again in a few minutes, but I
thought I'd ask in case anyone has advice to give.

Go here, and see a drawing for each night!

https://earthsky.org/tonight

"Young moon, Jupiter, Saturn glorious December 15 to 18!
Posted by Bruce McClure in TONIGHT | 2 days ago
Waxing crescent moon swings by two bright planets, Jupiter and Saturn.

You might – or might not – catch the young whisker-thin moon below the
planets Jupiter and Saturn on December 15, 2020. You’ll surely catch the
moon and these glorious planets in the west after sunset on December 16,
17 and 18. Giant Jupiter and golden, ringed Saturn are now nearing their
December 21 great conjunction. They will be a dazzling and exceedingly
rare sight near the young moon in our evening sky. Don’t miss them!

On December 16, 17 and 18, think photo opportunity as the young crescent
moon moves past Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in our solar
system. Jupiter is the larger and brighter of these two brilliant
beauties, outshining Saturn by 11 times. So if you see Jupiter and not
Saturn, aim binoculars at Jupiter to see both Jupiter and Saturn taking
the stage in the same binocular field of view. If you get a good photo,
submit it here to EarthSky’s Community Photos.

Read mo All you need to know about Jupiter and Saturn’s December 21
great conjunction