Although it’s been quite a challenging and dark year, a rare Christmas star will light up the night just four days before the beloved holiday arrives. Here in Ohio, you can spot this spectacular Christmas star just after sunset on the evening of December 21, 2020. It’s a rare celestial event that hasn’t occurred since the Middle Ages—and you won’t want to miss it.
If you look to the sky on the night of December 21 this year, you’ll witness a beautiful phenomenon that’s commonly called the Christmas Star.
Vidmar Fernandes / 500px Collection via Getty Images Approximately 800 years have passed since this brilliant astronomical event occurred.
No matter where you are in the Buckeye State, you’ll be able to spot the phenomenon in the low southwestern horizon right after sunset.
John M. Cropper From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River, the Christmas Star will shine bright over Ohio this year.
Interestingly enough, the Christmas Star isn’t actually a star. It’s a rare alignment of Jupiter and Saturn where the planets are so close to one another that they actually appear as one giant star.
Mark Newman / The Image Bank Collection via Getty Images Astronomers report that such a close alignment won’t happen again until early March 15 of the year 2080.
The Christmas Star name originates from the idea that some astronomers believe that the biblical Star of Bethlehem was also the result of a rare alignment of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.
Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr This is the same star that serves as the inspiration for Christmas tree toppers around the world.
Since nearly nothing about the year 2020 has been typical, it’s fitting (and maybe a bit magical?) that a rare phenomenon would occur on the Winter Solstice.
Howard J/Flickr Just look to the sky, Ohio!
Where will you be on the night of December 21 this year? Share your thoughts with us!
Vidmar Fernandes / 500px Collection via Getty Images
Approximately 800 years have passed since this brilliant astronomical event occurred.
John M. Cropper
From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River, the Christmas Star will shine bright over Ohio this year.
Mark Newman / The Image Bank Collection via Getty Images
Astronomers report that such a close alignment won’t happen again until early March 15 of the year 2080.
Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr
This is the same star that serves as the inspiration for Christmas tree toppers around the world.
Howard J/Flickr
Just look to the sky, Ohio!
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Address: Ohio, USA
