Conjunction

[Cody]

If you're lucky enough to have clear skies this evening, be sure to catch the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction. Low in the Southwest just after sunset, the two planets will be so close (visually) that they'll seem almost like one to the naked eye.
We had clear skies last evening, and they were pretty close then. Tonight, it looks like rain/cloud. <sobs>

[Pinback]

So I read that they think this might have been the star of Bethlehem, but IIRC old JC was born in the summer and the early Christians hijacked the pagan festival of the winter solstice combining the two into Christmas. so if this is the same conjunction that took place about 2000 years ago, did it take place in the winter or the summer.

[Cody]

Posted by: @pinback
did it take place in the winter or the summer.

Good question! A quick search finds this:

Kepler calculated that Jupiter appeared to pass Saturn three times in the year B.C.7, namely in June, August and December

But that ain't necessarily correct.

[D.C.Elington]

[url]https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2012/GreatConjunction_Peach_960_annotated.jpg[/url]

[Cody]

Posted by: @d-c-elington


Starry Eyed and Laughing?