Jupiter, Saturn to appear as a star on December 21 in a ‘great conjunction’
- Jupiter and Saturn have not been this close since 1623
- The conjunction can be witnessed in most major Indian cities just after sunset on that day
- The physical distance between the two planets will be around 735 million km on December 21 night
Good news for the sky gazers! In one of the most rare celestial events, on December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will be seen very close to each other and will appear like a bright star in the sky. This event will be witnessed after nearly 400 years.
Jupiter and Saturn have not been this close since 1623 and the event is being termed as a “great conjunction,” said Debi Prasad Duari, Director of M P Birla Planetarium.
“If two celestial bodies visually appear close to each other from Earth, it is called a conjunction. And such conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter is at times called a great conjunction,” Duari said, in a statement.
On December 21 night, the physical distance between the two planets will be around 735 million km, he said.
Duari added that Jupiter and Saturn, in the run-up to the date, will progressively come closer to each other with every passing day.
The conjunction will be visible in most major cities across India just after sunset.
Reportedly, this conjunction will next happen in March 2080.
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