Aurangabad, Dec 16:
Sky gazers are in for a treat on the night of December 21 when Jupiter and Saturn will come close to each other almost looking like a single shining planet in the sky. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. The two planets won''t appear this close to each other again until 2080. Sky gazers and astronomers will be able to experience this amazing astronomical sight with the naked eye after sunset from the city.
Saturn has been trailing Jupiter across the night sky over the past few months. The two planets will draw closer and closer, until they appear together above the western horizon around an hour after sunset on December 21. Giving more information, Shrinivas Aundhkar, director, MGM astrospace science center said, At the time of this alliance, the angular distance between Saturn and Jupiter and Earth will be 1/5 of the size of the full moon, which is 06 angular minutes. This would be the second such event since Galileo''s discovery of the telescope on July 16, 1623 that is about 400 years ago.
Observations to be recorded
The astronomical observations will be recorded for six days from December 17 to December 22 at the MGM science center. Citizens will be able to see the incident through binoculars and telescope from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm. Citizens between the ages of 11 and 60 will be able to enjoy this astronomical event according to the Covid-19 health safety rules.
Visible from naked eye
The citizens will be visible to see the rare phenomenon to the naked eye from 5:55 pm. Saturn will be seen on the upper side of the radiant Jupiter, and the core of the moon will also be seen in the upper part. This amazing event will last for about two hours till 8 pm.