2020 was full of surprises and here is yet another big one. The shortest day of the year will bring something you can only see once in your lifetime as it last occurred in 1623.

On Monday, December 21, as the Northern Hemisphere marks the beginning of winter with the winter solstice, we’re also being treated to a rare and spectacular sight in the sky: the great conjunction.  

It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for sky-watchers  on December 21, 2020 for they will witness the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn after it was last seen in 1623. 

Also Read: Here’s how to watch Jupiter-Saturn conjunction on December 21

The two planets will come the closest to one another in the celestial marvel that will be seen next in 2080. The two slow-moving planets will be just 0.1 degrees apart. The two giant planets will appear only a tenth of a degree apart, even though they are actually about 450 million miles away.

In India, the conjunction will be visible between 6.30 and 7.30 pm.

To celebrate the solstice and the great conjunction occurring on the same day, Google has created an animated Doodle showing Saturn giving Jupiter a high-five as it slides on by in its solar system orbit.