Jupiter and Saturn form closest visible alignment in 800 years
- 3 years ago
목성과 토성 800년 만에 근접
This week begins with December solstice, the official start of the astronomical season of winter in the northern hemisphere. And, the huge deal right now for star gazers is the once in a lifetime great conjunction.
Also called the Christmas Star. Even though it's not a star and happens four days before Christmas.
Two planets, the biggest and most distant in our solar system visible from earth, Jupiter and Saturn, will form the closest visible alignment in hundreds of years.
Our Kim Yeon-seung is at Gwacheon National Science Museum.
Yeon-seung, so why are you out there and what happens when these two planets collide?
Hi Connyoung, I'm standing here at the observatory of the Gwacheon National Science Museum, where astronomers are shooting an online broadcast of the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, a celestial phenomenon known as the "great conjunction".
To the southwest of where I'm standing, the great conjunction hung just above the buildings about 30 minutes ago, giving me the chance to witness this marvel.
Unfortunately right now from this angle, it is no longer visible, but if you are somewhere with an open view and face the southwest, you can probably still see the planets just above the horizon.
Jupiter and Saturn align every two decades but the last time they came this close to each other was 400 years ago in 1623.
On that occasion, Jupiter and Saturn were too close to the sun, so the conjunction wasn't visible from Earth.
The last time people could see Jupiter and Saturn make what seemed like a giant star... was in the year 12-26.
And it's going to be a while until this celestial phenomenon resurfaces.
"The next great conjunction will occur on the 15th of March 2080, if you miss this conjunction, you will never see it again."
The two largest planets of our solar system look like they are about a tenth of a degree apart, which, according to NASA, is about a "thickness of a dime held at an arm's length."
Because this event is happening just before Christmas, some are dubbing it the 'Christmas star.'
And it also happens to fall on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
Back to you Connyoung.
Well, if we miss it this time, we all have 2080 to look forward to. So, no worries AT ALL.
Thanks, Yeonseung for that. Our Kim Yeonseung on the Great Conjunction or the Christmas Star, a must see on this Monday night.
This week begins with December solstice, the official start of the astronomical season of winter in the northern hemisphere. And, the huge deal right now for star gazers is the once in a lifetime great conjunction.
Also called the Christmas Star. Even though it's not a star and happens four days before Christmas.
Two planets, the biggest and most distant in our solar system visible from earth, Jupiter and Saturn, will form the closest visible alignment in hundreds of years.
Our Kim Yeon-seung is at Gwacheon National Science Museum.
Yeon-seung, so why are you out there and what happens when these two planets collide?
Hi Connyoung, I'm standing here at the observatory of the Gwacheon National Science Museum, where astronomers are shooting an online broadcast of the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, a celestial phenomenon known as the "great conjunction".
To the southwest of where I'm standing, the great conjunction hung just above the buildings about 30 minutes ago, giving me the chance to witness this marvel.
Unfortunately right now from this angle, it is no longer visible, but if you are somewhere with an open view and face the southwest, you can probably still see the planets just above the horizon.
Jupiter and Saturn align every two decades but the last time they came this close to each other was 400 years ago in 1623.
On that occasion, Jupiter and Saturn were too close to the sun, so the conjunction wasn't visible from Earth.
The last time people could see Jupiter and Saturn make what seemed like a giant star... was in the year 12-26.
And it's going to be a while until this celestial phenomenon resurfaces.
"The next great conjunction will occur on the 15th of March 2080, if you miss this conjunction, you will never see it again."
The two largest planets of our solar system look like they are about a tenth of a degree apart, which, according to NASA, is about a "thickness of a dime held at an arm's length."
Because this event is happening just before Christmas, some are dubbing it the 'Christmas star.'
And it also happens to fall on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
Back to you Connyoung.
Well, if we miss it this time, we all have 2080 to look forward to. So, no worries AT ALL.
Thanks, Yeonseung for that. Our Kim Yeonseung on the Great Conjunction or the Christmas Star, a must see on this Monday night.