The well-known phrase “when the stars align” will mean much more this year, and in a year when we need it the most. A rare event will occur on the night of the winter solstice and we may have a unique opportunity to see what many are calling a Christmas star over Kentucky. While this isn’t exactly a singular star, it could make for a pretty memorable event and one you’ll definitely want to watch for on December 21st.
When you think of the Christmas star, you likely think of the Christmas story and also a beaming light at the top of a tree. But in a year that’s been tough for so many, we have a rare celestial event to look forward to as what many are calling a Christmas star will appear in the sky.
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This “Christmas star” is not actually one star, but two planets that will be extremely close to one another on the night of December 21st. This year’s winter solstice will be one to remember.
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Jupiter, shown below, and Saturn have been getting closer and closer to each other and on December 21st the distance between the two will be the thickness of a dime. This has not been visible to those on Earth since the year 1226!
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With the two planets so close together, they will appear as one and will likely shine brighter than what we are used to seeing. Of course this does depend on the weather, so let’s hope for clear skies so we can truly see a Christmas star over Kentucky.
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The best place to see the planets will be out away from light pollution, and there are many great options in Kentucky. The Big South Fork Scenic area is shown below, but any remote spot, farmland, or a back road would be ideal for witnessing what may be one of the brightest moments of 2020.
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On a clear night, the moon, stars, and planets often put on a beautiful show and on December 21st we will hopefully witness one of the best sights in centuries. Look for a Christmas star over Kentucky and enjoy a rare celestial occurrence that won’t come around for another six decades. Will you look for the Christmas star over Kentucky? What have you heard about it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
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For more information on witnessing a Christmas star over Kentucky, read more about it on the Space.com website.
And for a different type of Christmas light, check out these suggestions of some of the best light displays in Kentucky.
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