The year 2020 will go down in the history books as a year to forget, up there with 1917, year of the Spanish flu, and the years of the ravishing devastation of the Black Plague in the 14th century. But perhaps we can end on a celestial high note, because four days before Christmas a rare and bright event will appear in the Vermont skies for the first time in over 800 years!
On December 21st after dusk we will witness the closest alignment of Jupiter and Saturn since the year 1226. And the event can be seen all across the USA.
Vidmar Fernandes / 500px Collection via Getty Images
On the darkest day of the year, in a dark year, the two planets will draw near each other in what astronomers are calling the “Christmas Star.” This bright celestial occurrence will light up the night sky like we haven’t seen in centuries.
Chris Devers / Flickr
The coming together of these two planets will appear as one giant bright star. One could think of it as a bright star atop a Christmas tree, a Christmas tree in the sky.
Wally Gobetz/flickr
The last time our world witnessed this magical event the Renaissance was still decades away from beginning and Genghis Khan was seizing large parts of Asia. We’ve been waiting an awful long time for another “Christmas Star” in the winter sky.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/flickr
Was this celestial event the divine “Star of Bethlehem” that we learned from the gospels? Perhaps this time around there will be another paradigm shift for humanity… we’ll just have to wait and see.
Nicholas Erwin/flickr
What will you be doing on the night of December 21? Will you try to get a glimpse of this astronomical wonder? Do you think it has any deeper meaning? Let us know below in the comments section. We love hearing from you!
Vidmar Fernandes / 500px Collection via Getty Images
Chris Devers / Flickr
Wally Gobetz/flickr
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/flickr
Nicholas Erwin/flickr
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