Jupiter, Saturn merging in night sky on Dec 21, closest since Galileo’s time in the 17th century
Cape Canaveral (US), Dec 20: Jupiter and Saturn will merge in the night sky Monday, appearing closer to one another than they have since Galileo's time in the 17th century.
Astronomers say so-called conjunctions between the two largest planets in our solar system aren't particularly rare.
Jupiter passes its neighbour Saturn in their respective laps around the sun every 20 years.
But the one coming up is especially close: Jupiter and Saturn will be just one-tenth of a degree apart from our perspective or about one-fifth the width of a full moon.
They should be easily visible around the world a little after sunset, weather permitting.
Toss in the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest night of the year and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and this just-in-time-for-Christmas spectacle promises to be one of the greatest of Great Conjunctions.
What is most rare is a close conjunction that occurs in our nighttime sky," said Vanderbilt University's David Weintraub, an astronomy professor.
"I think it's fair to say that such an event typically may occur just once in any one person's lifetime, and I think 'once in my lifetime' is a pretty good test of whether something merits being labeled as rare or special.
It will be the closest Jupiter-Saturn pairing since July 1623, when the two planets appeared a little nearer.
This conjunction was almost impossible to see, however, because of its closeness to the sun.
Considerably closer and in plain view was the March 1226 conjunction of the two planets when Genghis Khan was conquering Asia.
Monday's conjunction will be the closest pairing that is visible since way back then.
Saturn and Jupiter have been drawing closer in the south-southwest sky for weeks. Jupiter bigger and closer to Earth is vastly brighter.
I love watching them come closer and closer to each other and the fact that I can see it with my naked eyes from my back porch! Virginia Tech astronomer Nahum Arav said in an email.
To see it, be ready shortly after sunset Monday, looking to the southwest fairly low on the horizon.
Saturn will be the smaller, fainter blob at Jupiter's upper right. Binoculars will be needed to separate the two planets.
Despite appearances, Jupiter and Saturn will actually be more than 450 million miles (730 million kilometers) apart. Earth, meanwhile, will be 550 million miles (890 million kilometers) from Jupiter.
A telescope will not only capture Jupiter and Saturn in the same field of view, but even some of their brightest moons.
Their next super-close pairing: March 15, 2080.
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Don't read too much into my meeting with Rahul Gandhi: D K Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said his recent meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was part of routine political interactions and nothing much should made out of it.
He also maintained that he would continue to engage with the party leadership on various issues.
Shivakumar said he had posted on 'X' stating that "Effort may fail but prayers won't," which was linked to developments in the Cauvery dispute.
"Due to my prayers, the Cauvery issue has taken a new shape in the court. The court has told the Centre that it has to take a decision on the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir issue. Hence, I tweeted it," he said.
He dismissed different interpretations by journalists.
On his meeting with Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday during his transit visit to Mysuru before heading for Tamil Nadu, the KPCC president said he had interacted with the Congress leader.
"I won't say I did not speak to him. I can't disclose what we had discussed. It's between me and him," Shivakumar said, adding that he would be travelling to Delhi on Friday.
"I am going to Delhi tomorrow where I will meet him (Rahul Gandhi). I have a meeting on the Assam Assembly polls," he said.
On his meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Shivakumar said it was part of party protocol for being the KPCC president to receive the party president when he visits the state.
Reacting to questions about jubilation among his supporters following his meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar said he was unaware of such reactions.
"My meeting with Rahul Gandhi isn't new. I don't know who told you this. My meeting with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and others is not something that can be discussed in public," he added.
When asked whether he would convey the aspirations of his supporters to Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar quipped that he will also communicate the aspirations of the journalists.
