General Discussion

FuzzyRabbit

(2,219 posts) Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:29 AM Dec 2020

Christmas Star

Yay! Usually I miss out on celestial events, but the clouds parted a while ago and I was able to see the moon and the Christmas Star (aka the Great Conjunction.)

A simple pleasure, I know, but in 2020 that is about all I can expect to get.

17 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Christmas Star (Original Post) FuzzyRabbit Dec 2020 OP

I looked at through a spotting scope Drahthaardogs Dec 2020 #1

I wish I had a telescope. FuzzyRabbit Dec 2020 #2

Mine was a hunting scope Drahthaardogs Dec 2020 #5

Very cool 😎 Maru Kitteh Dec 2020 #6

I Saw It Too..... global1 Dec 2020 #3

The informal name of the Christmas "star" is Jupiturn. LastDemocratInSC Dec 2020 #4

That's Fantastic.. I didn't know it was still Cha Dec 2020 #7

Their closest approach (The Grand Conjunction) was last night, the 21st, but they are visually progree Dec 2020 #13

That makes perfect sense.. TY! Cha Dec 2020 #14

You're welcome. Hope you get to see it. I haven't seen it for more than 2 weeks now progree Dec 2020 #16

Cool! I love seeing the Stars on Cha Dec 2020 #17

Looked nicer tonite with Saturn a bit more offset. roamer65 Dec 2020 #8

I couldn't see the conjunction MontanaMama Dec 2020 #11

Mars is very bright right now. roamer65 Dec 2020 #15

Very cool MustLoveBeagles Dec 2020 #9

Really good video of it. keithbvadu2 Dec 2020 #10

From the Comments: "Go home, Saturn, you're drunk." Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2020 #12

Drahthaardogs

(6,843 posts)

1. I looked at through a spotting scope

Reply to FuzzyRabbit (Original post)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:31 AM

Dec 2020

I actually saw four of Jupiter’s moons and could make out the rings on Saturn

FuzzyRabbit

(2,219 posts)

2. I wish I had a telescope.

Reply to Drahthaardogs (Reply #1)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:35 AM

Dec 2020

It was still impressive to see the moon and the two planets. These were the only things in the sky that were bright enough to see.

Drahthaardogs

(6,843 posts)

5. Mine was a hunting scope

Reply to FuzzyRabbit (Reply #2)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:42 AM

Dec 2020

Small that I used to pack in. I was surprised I could see as much as I did

Maru Kitteh

(32,015 posts)

6. Very cool 😎

Reply to Drahthaardogs (Reply #1)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:44 AM

Dec 2020

global1

(26,507 posts)

3. I Saw It Too.....

Reply to FuzzyRabbit (Original post)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:36 AM

Dec 2020

I really wanted to catch this celestial event. I'm glad I did. Kind of put me in the Christmas Spirit.

LastDemocratInSC

(4,253 posts)

4. The informal name of the Christmas "star" is Jupiturn.

Reply to FuzzyRabbit (Original post)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:40 AM

Dec 2020

Cha

(320,660 posts)

7. That's Fantastic.. I didn't know it was still

Reply to FuzzyRabbit (Original post)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:48 AM

Dec 2020

going on!

progree

(13,078 posts)

13. Their closest approach (The Grand Conjunction) was last night, the 21st, but they are visually

Reply to Cha (Reply #7)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 03:08 AM

Dec 2020

still very close to each other and will be for several nights, depending on how you define "visually still very close to each other". As they were for several nights before the 21st. But as on the 21st and before, one has to get out soon after sunset, in the southwest sky low on the horizon, because it sets about 1 1/2 hours after sunset.

Cha

(320,660 posts)

14. That makes perfect sense.. TY!

Reply to progree (Reply #13)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 04:04 AM

Dec 2020

I still haven't seen it. Saw the big ol Moon though just now.

I'll try tomorrow night!

progree

(13,078 posts)

16. You're welcome. Hope you get to see it. I haven't seen it for more than 2 weeks now

Reply to Cha (Reply #14)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 06:31 AM

Dec 2020

because of clouds EVERY NIGHT (Minneapolis. This is highly unusual BTW). But weather forecast is for "mostly clear" in the soon-after-sunset hours of Dec 23, so might be my big chance. I was out just now (about 410 AM local time!) and it was clear and saw plenty of stars.

Cha

(320,660 posts)

17. Cool! I love seeing the Stars on

Reply to progree (Reply #16)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 06:34 AM

Dec 2020

a clear night.

roamer65

(37,974 posts)

8. Looked nicer tonite with Saturn a bit more offset.

Reply to FuzzyRabbit (Original post)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:55 AM

Dec 2020

Naked eye view of it tonite had a bit more 3D effect.

I’ll hafta go out and view Mars on decent evening soon. The Moon right now is ruining deep sky viewing.

MontanaMama

(24,752 posts)

11. I couldn't see the conjunction

Reply to roamer65 (Reply #8)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 02:38 AM

Dec 2020

due to the mountains...Jupiter and Saturn were below our horizon BUT Mars and Uranus are incredibly bright...for me they are on the eastern aspect of the moon. Mars in particular was showing off.

roamer65

(37,974 posts)

15. Mars is very bright right now.

Reply to MontanaMama (Reply #11)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 04:34 AM

Dec 2020

About 75 million miles or so I do believe.

2018 it was very big and bright.

MustLoveBeagles

(17,314 posts)

9. Very cool

Reply to FuzzyRabbit (Original post)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 12:57 AM

Dec 2020

keithbvadu2

(40,915 posts)

10. Really good video of it.

Reply to FuzzyRabbit (Original post)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 02:01 AM

Dec 2020

Fake and simulated but lots of folks think it's real

https://imgur.com/gallery/C9h2Mt3

Lady Freedom Returns

(14,198 posts)

12. From the Comments: "Go home, Saturn, you're drunk."

Reply to keithbvadu2 (Reply #10)

Wed Dec 23, 2020, 02:48 AM

Dec 2020

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