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Jupiter And Saturn Align For First Christmas Star In 800 Years

Jupiter And Saturn Align For First Christmas Star In 800 Years

The phenomenon is also referred to as the 'Star of Bethlehem'.

Aneira Davies

Aneira Davies

For the first time in 800 years, there'll be a Christmas Star visible in the UK this year.

The phenomenon actually happens when the planets Jupiter and Saturn are so close together that they look like one double planet and is due to take place early in the evening on the 21st December.

Though Jupiter and Saturn will appear to be close to each other, in something that is referred to as the 'Christmas Star' or the 'Star of Bethlehem', in reality they'll actually be hundreds of millions of miles apart. Minds blown.

The two planets will be so close together that they will appear as one double planet (
Unsplash)

It's the first time this rare phenomenon has been seen since 1226 and it's pretty impressive.

John McLean, a member of the Royal Astronomical Society, told Cornwall Live that this conjunction has not happened since December 1623, but that that one was not visible due to it being so close to the sun.

He said: "The last time a visible 'Great Conjunction' took place was in 1226 hence this year's event being the 'first' for 800 years."

The phenomenon will happen at 1.30pm on the 21st and the planets will be just 0.06 degrees apart.

It's the first time in 800 years that this phenomenon has been visible at night (
Unsplash)

He added: ''While the two planets will appear very close together, Saturn will actually be twice as far from Earth as Jupiter."

And since the 21st is also the Winter Solstice, or the shortest day of the year, it's a double celebration.

Eager stargazers hoping to catch a glimpse of the Christmas Star can see it from anywhere in the UK where skies are clear and the incredible sight will present itself just after sunset.

Saturn and Jupiter as they usually appear (
Unsplash)

Here in the UK, we'll be able to see it from 3:53pm onwards but you might need to invest in a pair of binoculars or a telescope to see it clearly.

The next time we're due to see a Christmas Star is expected to be 2080, so we really hope we don't miss out on this one.

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

Topics: News