Jupiter And Saturn Will Be Together Again For The Holidays

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Saturn (center-left) and Jupiter (center-right) share a night sky earlier this year near Vantage, Wash. Already this past summer, the two planets were growing closer in the night sky. Later this month, they will appear closer to each other than they have for centuries.

Ted S. Warren/AP

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Ted S. Warren/AP

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Saturn and Jupiter began appearing close to one another this past summer, but this spectacle of proximity will be clearest beginning in mid-December.

«Look for them low in the southwest in the hour after sunset. And on December 21st, the two giant planets will appear just a tenth of a degree apart — that’s about the thickness of a dime held at arm’s length!» NASA explained earlier this month. «This means the two planets and their moons will be visible in the same field of view through binoculars or a small telescope. In fact, Saturn will appear as close to Jupiter as some of Jupiter’s moons.»

After the winter solstice, the two planets will appear to begin moving apart again.

Now, this sentimental holiday reunion is no Hallmark movie; if you miss it this year, don’t expect to see it again next December. Astronomers say there won’t be another great conjunction this close until 2080.

• Saturn
• Jupiter
• space