[alang]

I'm into a bit of the old astronomy and thought some on here might like to know this.

Jupiter and Saturn are becoming aligned and so shall appear as one bright object in the nights sky this December, coming to the peak on Monday 21st December. The planets will appear in the southwest sky, just above the horizon shortly after sunset. Some suggest that this might have been the 'Star of Bethlehem' as the timeline coincides with the alleged birth of some bloke called Jesus (not the Man City player btw).

Well worth a look especially as no-one here will be around next time it happens.

Just had a look and you can see it. Saturn is really bright but if you look slightly above it at about eleven o'clock position you can see Jupiter. Will have another look later when it's totally dark. Stunning

[Fleecewife]

Oh you lucky...person!  It's been raining here since we first heard about the conjunction, and is forecast to do the same on Monday.  But looking at tomorrow, we just might get lucky - it's forecast to be cloudy but hopefully not 8/8ths     


I wonder if there's a significance that it falls on the solstice?  I don't believe in omens but I do hope this is a good omen as the whole world needs that right now.


Have you any idea how many days it will be visible for before it dips below the horizon?  Up here we miss out on so many astronomical events because of cloud and rain, but tomorrow it might even be worth hauling the telescope out.

[alang]

Have you any idea how many days it will be visible for before it dips below the horizon?

Have no idea sorry. We only get a short period to see it because it goes down below the mountain not long after dark. But i have to admit i had a beaming smile on my face when i saw it last night.

Hope you get a chance to see it.

[macgro7]

It was alrrady visible for a couple of weeks and will be for a couple more, but tomorrow (21st of December) the planets are the most aligned.
Last time this happened in 14th century when Timur was conquerung most of Asia. Before it happened during the birth of Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon Him) and before during the birth of Jesus (Peace be upon Him), it is still known as the Star of Betlehem.

[Fleecewife]

I hope it brings Peace and Health to the whole of peoplekind - it's right on time 


I saw it this evening, but it was swallowed up by a big black cloud before the sky to the SW could get dark enough to see it brightly. There are more clear days forecast so a chance to get the telescope set up on the hill.
Thanks for the info that it will be around for another couple of weeks macgro

[doganjo]

I switched off all my PIRs but not a sausage - too much cloud here tonight - supposed to clear about 9 so I'll try gain then.  The Christmas Star is almost a  once in a  lifetime event I think

[macgro7]

We took some beautiful pictures last night, but today when its supposed to be the most pronounced/aligned its cloudy and raining...

[doganjo]

Oh that's good, I thought it was supposed to be best last night. I'll try again tonight

It cleared here about 9 so i went out but was disappointed.  It was just a slightly brighter star above and to the left of the moon.  Not really even as bright as Sirius (dog star) or Polaris (North star)  to be honest.


I wouldn't have noticed if i hadn't been told where to look.

[macgro7]

Are tou sure it was that? Its the most visible just after the sunset. When you look towards the west its the only visible star where the horizon is still bright. You csn quite clearly see two bodies of light very close to each other.

[doganjo]

No I'm not at all sure but I have clear view of the whole sky here with very little light pollution and saw nothing else remotely like what I was expecting.  I have just been told about Skyview app so I'm just going to see if it helps

[Fleecewife]

Does anyone know when the Philip's Planisphere for 2021 onwards will be available?  Having to buy online makes it impossible to see which years are covered and not one mentions it - makes me think they are old stock. It's mainly for the positions of the planets, written on the back.  My old one expires at the end of this year.

[Steph Hen]

Was cracking last night :-)) we went up a hill to get a good look but could see it from home when we got back. Big shiney thing in the SW, could see the paler planet clearer before the evening light had completely gone. Obviously I didn’t have my camera with me. Children and me very excited to see it and christmas and their next three and a half weeks off school :-) 

[Fleecewife]

We just had a big splodge of cloud to the SW AGAIN!  The rest of the sky was clear and frosty.  We'll try again tonight - ever hopeful.


Glad you and the children had such a good view Steph