After 350 Years See Two Planets Close Together Appearing as One
There have been some cool sightings in the night sky throughout 2020. There is one left that we can see in December and it hasn't been seen this close since the Middle Ages. Here are the details. In 2020 we have seen some special things in the sky. There were thirteen full moons and three supermoons. There were a blue moon and four lunar eclipses as well. Not to mention that we, at one point, could see five planets visible in the night sky throughout the month of November.
The latest marvel to end 2020 will be on the longest night of the year which is the Winter solstice on December 21st. According to Simplemost.com, we will be able to look up at the night sky and see the planets Jupiter and Saturn close together. In fact, they will be so close that they will appear to be a double planet. Back in 2000, these two planets were visible but not as close.
For the first time in three hundred fifty years or since 1653, Saturn and Jupiter will just point zero one degree away from each other. That is equivalent to about one-fifth of the width of a full moon. This won't happen again until March 15, 2080.
According to News Channel 13, here in the Capital Region the best time to see Jupiter and Saturn appearing as a double planet will be on December 21st at sunset. They will appear to be setting in the southwest sky after sunset. But because the planets will sink below the horizon a couple of hours after the sun sets, you shouldn't wait too long.