Chennai: A celestial extravaganza is in store today, as Jupiter and Saturn are all set to come together for what is known as the ‘The Great Conjunction’.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), “It’s been nearly 400 years since the planets passed this close to each other in the sky, and nearly 800 years since the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter occurred at night, as it will for 2020, allowing nearly everyone around the world to witness this great conjunction.”
Jupiter and Saturn will be separated by just “0.1 degrees or about one-fifth the apparent width of the Moon”.
Known as the ‘Christmas Star’, this is a particularly vibrant planetary conjunction that will be easily visible in the evening sky over the next two weeks.
Jupiter and Saturn appear to pass each other nearly once every 20 years but what makes today’s event special is that it coincides with the night of Winter Solstice, when the Sun starts returning to the Northern Hemisphere.
Legend has it that the ‘Christmas Star’, guided three wise men to baby Jesus. The Star is also believed to be a sign of hope for humanity. Traditionally, people used candles symbolising the ‘Christmas Star’, but now fairy lights and tiny coloured bulbs are popularly used to light up the Christmas trees and decorate homes.