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



 
 
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Old December 4th 20, 04:37 PM posted to alt.astronomy
a425couple
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Default 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

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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.
 




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