Monday night, stargazers will be able to see something that happens roughly every 20 years, but this time, it will be on a magnitude that hasn’t been seen in roughly 800 years. Called the Great Conjunction, it is the two of the largest bodies in our solar system crossing paths in the night sky. 

“Jupiter and Saturn, two of our biggest planets, are going to get really close on December 21st,” explained Jordon Daigle. He is the president of the Wilkinson Memorial Observatory Astronomy Club in Eastend.  

Generally, when Jupiter and Saturn cross paths, it is by about one degree, or twice the size of the moon from as it appears in the sky. This year, the two planets will be separated by 0.1 degrees, or, to use the astronomical term – six arc minutes. The planets cross paths this close roughly every 400 years, however, it hasn’t always been visible due to the time of day, and the position of the Earth. 

The last time the Great Conjunction was visible to a majority of the world’s population happened in March of 1226. 

So, when and where can we see this? 

“It will be just after sunset, in the southwestern sky,” explained Daigle. “Just kind of a little above the horizon, you should be able to see them there.” 

Jupiter and Saturn will remain in close alignment for a few days and will be visible to the naked eye. According to a statement from NASSA, while the two planets may be viewed as a single point of light, they will still be hundreds of millions of miles apart in space.  

This year, the event is also taking place on the first day of winter, which is the longest night of the year.