It is a unique event: Jupiter and Saturn will be so close together in the coming days that they almost seem to become one. To be able to see the phenomenon, the cloud cover must be limited as much as possible. And that will be the case in most of the Netherlands in the coming days, Weerplaza says in conversation with NU.nl on Friday.
The so-called conjunction takes place about every twenty years, but now the gap between Jupiter and Saturn is very small. The last time Jupiter and Saturn were seen so close together in the night sky was almost 800 years ago, on March 5, 1226.
The spectacle is clearly visible on Friday evening. It is clear in most of the country, only in the north clouds can throw a spanner in the works. “But you can also catch a glimpse through the clouds,” said a spokesman for Weerplaza.
On Saturday evening, the chance to see the ‘meeting’ is not as great in the east of the country. On Sunday evening, Weerplaza expects clearances everywhere.
Highlight of ‘meeting’ on December 21
The spectacle will take place in the southwestern sky for the coming evenings. “It is important that you have a good, unobstructed view to the southwest because it can all be seen quite low on the horizon,” said Weerplaza.
The peak of the conjunction is on December 21. That moment cannot be seen in the Netherlands, because Jupiter and Saturn are below the horizon. Just over an hour earlier, approximately between 5.15 pm and 6.15 pm, the planets can be seen, if the weather is good. It doesn’t seem like it now, says Weerplaza. “Sunday night is probably the last chance.”
The next conjunction is not until 2040 again, but the planets will then approach each other less closely.
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