Slowly but surely, a rare phenomenon is unfolding in the sky. Tonight and tomorrow night, Jupiter and Saturn seem very close to each other. Astronomer Theo Jurriens of the University of Groningen describes it as “a cosmic kiss of the two largest planets of our solar system.”
Jurriens has been following the phenomenon for weeks. “With a fancy word we also call that conjunction a conjunction. The planets are apparently very close to each other,” he explains. RTV Drenthe. The distance seems small, but appearances can be deceiving.
“You can compare it a bit with what a lot of people do at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then they take a picture where it looks like they are standing against the leaning tower. That is not the case, that is a trick picture”, says Jurriens. “Those planets are therefore not really together. They are still gigantic distances.”
800 years ago
According to astronomer Marlies van de Weijgaert of the University of Groningen, the last time Jupiter and Saturn were seen so close together was almost 800 years ago. “There is such a conjunction every 20 years, but the last time they were this close was in 1226.”
The next opportunity to see the planets in this way is on March 15, 2080. Those who miss that will have to wait until August 2417.
According to Jurriens, around 5 p.m. is the ideal time to see the phenomenon, because the planets are still well above the horizon. “A small tip is to make an outstretched arm, then place your little finger at the horizon. And then you have Jupiter and Saturn with your thumb.”
Jurriens now hopes for a clear evening. “But we have had some bad luck in the north in recent weeks. It has been a bit cloudy. Anyway, we should just pray that it is still clear tonight and Monday evening.”
After tonight, the planets can still be seen in the coming days. “After Monday, the planets will continue to separate again, so you can still follow that process neatly. But towards January it will become increasingly difficult to see.”
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