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Observing Update: Despite mostly clear skies, Boulderites battled an omnipresent cloud on the night of the conjunctionÌýwhichÌýoccasionally looked like the Great Red Spot of Jupiter (cool, but argh!). The high windsÌýcreated poor seeing conditions (turbulence in the atmosphere) and we were only able to spot the conjunction a few minutes before it set behind the Flatirons. Here are a few photos from our socially distanced, masked, and safe team observing session.Ìý

To see other photos from around the globe use the following hashtags: #conjunction2020,Ìý#greatconjunction2020, #jupiterandsaturnconjunction.Ìý

Photo of our Apollo 20" telescope attempting to spot the conjunction which is behind a cloud.

Our observing team hard at work.

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Follow the blue arrow to see the planets in the gap between the cloud and the Flatirons.

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Avid skygazers have been observing Jupiter and Saturn dance together in the night sky throughout the fall. As the Great Conjunction of 2020 approaches, the two planets appear closer together each evening as they continue their tango in the sky. Our Earthly view makes it appear as though the giant planets are approaching each other (see image below). In actuality, Saturn is almost a billion miles away from us and Jupiter roughly half that distance.

On Monday, December 21 the two distant planets will be in the closest visible conjunction since the year 1226. With only 6 arcminutes of separation, or 1/5 the width of the full Moon, both planets and their largest satellites will be visible in small telescopes. Observe the event soon after sunset to catch the spectacular view before the pair set behind the mountains.To read more about the conjunction, check out the andÌý.

As the month of December continues, the planets will remain fairly close together as they continue to sink in the western sky, but Jupiter will move from the lower right of Saturn to the upper left. The gap between the two will continue to grow until January when they’re no longer visible at sunset. By the middle of March, we’ll start to see them rise in the eastern sky before sunrise.

Fiske Planetarium will be hosting a special virtual episode of on Friday, December 18 at 3pm. Catch this episode live and submit your questions in the chat box or watch or the recorded version on Fiske’sÌý.

Watch this space for images from SBO! As the conjunction draws closer, we’ll try to capture a few photos with our telescopes. Although, not as easy as you might imagine it to be since the planets are low in the southwestern sky and the observing roof becoming somewhat of an obstacle for us. Additionally, while we’re thankful for the beautiful view from campus, the western horizon is obscured by the Flatirons. But fear not, we’re as excited about this conjunction as you are and will do our best to bring you some images. Until then, keep watching the magnificent show of the giant planets and their Great Conjunction of 2020!Ìý

From Sky & Telescope article linked above. This simulated view depicts Jupiter and Saturn through the telescope around 6 p.m. EST December 21st. They won't be this close again until 2080. Despite appearances, Jupiter is 724 million kilometers closer to us than Saturn. North is at upper right. Image credit: Stellarium

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