The event will not happen again until 2080.
Jupiter and Saturn appeared brightly together in the night sky on December 21, and while the event was best witnessed to anyone enjoying a clear night on the Equator, it turns out that Ireland got a fantastic view of the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, too.
As David Moore, the editor of Astronomy Ireland Magazine, told us in advance of the event:
“The best day will be the 21st of December, which just so happens to the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice, but that is purely a coincidence, it isn’t linked in any way. And the best time to see it will be very soon after sunset, during a strong twilight.”
Turns out Ireland had a spectacularly clear night for the event, as footage of the “great conjunction” over Dublin was shown on ABC News in the States.
Footage captures Jupiter and Saturn nearing alignment in the sky over Dublin as the two planets appear closer to one another than they have in centuries. https://t.co/xJBZibfVd6 pic.twitter.com/gI7ePlFPRu
— ABC News (@ABC) December 22, 2020
In reality, the two planets were over 400 million miles apart, but because of their alignment in relation to Earth, they appeared to be extremely close to each other.
They haven’t appeared this close to each other since 1623, but we don’t have as long to wait for the next alignment, due to happen in 2080.
Jupiter and Saturn will still appear close together in the night sky tonight, too. So if you happen to have a telescope or binoculars, you can still enjoy the special view.
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