Today marks the beginning of the Winter Solstice, the official beginning of the astronomical season of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This is when the earth’s tilt is furtherest away from the sun. It also marks the shortest day (in terms of daylight) of the year. Not only that, but it will mark the occurrence of truly celestial treasure.
Saturn and Jupiter will meet at a visibly close conjuncture (a term astronomer’s use to describe close meetings of planets and other objects in the solar system).
Tonight (December 21st) is the best night to view this “Christmas Kiss” as Saturn and Jupiter align. As darkness falls, sky-watchers might also be rewarded with a “fireball” from the Ursid meteor shower which is supposedly going to be the most bright and visible tomorrow night (Tuesday, December 22nd).
This meeting of Saturn and Jupiter happens only once every 800 years. We think that warrants an extra special outing to look at the night sky with your loved ones. Grab a blanket, bundle up, and head to an open field or hill in Rochester. Great viewing options include:
- Quarry Hill Park (near the baseball field on 9th Avenue NE)
- Judd Hill (Country Club Manor)
- Willow Creek Reservoir
- Silver Creek Reservoir
- Northern Heights Park
While it looks like it might be cloudy for tonight’s viewing, we are hoping that the skies will clear for this extra special event. While it appears there is no viewing party tonight, the Rochester Astronomer’s Club is a great resource for night sky viewing.
If you are planning to gift a telescope for the holidays, you might just consider gifting that to your loved one early this year!
