The Great Conjunction: Jupiter and Saturn appear the closest since 1623
DEC 19, 2020
At the end of 2020, around the Catholic Christmas, Jupiter and Saturn will appear the closest since 1623. Here is everything you should know about this once-in-a-lifetime event or so-called “Christmas Star”.
Will Jupiter and Saturn really be so close?
In terms of space distance — no. On the date of their great conjunction, which also happens to be the day of December solstice, Saturn will be about twice as far from the Earth as Jupiter.
For the observers from the Earth — yes. It will be the closest conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn that most of us will ever get to witness. In December, two planets will be only 0.1 degrees apart and may look like a single bright star.
What is the Great Conjunction 2020?
As seen from the Earth, two gas giants appear to pass close to each other every 20 years. This phenomenon is called the “great conjunction.” However, this year the visual distance between Jupiter and Saturn will be the smallest for the last 400 years.
Previously, such close conjunction happened on July 16, 1623 — only 14 years after the first telescope was invented. At that time, the gas giants were very close to the Sun (13 degrees east of the giant star), so it was hardly observed by many people. The last time similar observable conjunction occurred was on March 4, 1226.
When and how to see this Great Conjunction?
The Great Conjunction 2020 will take place on December 21, at 8:22 a.m. EDT (13:22 GMT). At that time, the planets will be in the constellation Capricornus: bright Jupiter will be shining at a magnitude of -2.0, and significantly dimmer Saturn will be at a magnitude of 0.6.
Although the highlight is the exact moment of the conjunction, start an observation now to see if you’ll be able to notice the narrowing separation of two gas giants. Even after December 21, they’ll remain pretty close to each other and end 2020 at a visual distance of about 1 degree apart.
If you watch with a naked eye, the planets will appear to shine as one at first glance. Use a pair of binoculars to see them separately in the same field of view. To get a decent view of the planets and possibly Jupiter’s moons, you’ll need a 200mm telescope. If the weather isn’t favorable or the bright city lights interfere with your observation, don’t worry. Use Star Walk 2 not to miss this remarkable event. Set a notification, find the planets in the app, and activate the AR mode to see the real-time sky on your screen.
When is the next Great Conjunction?
The next great conjunctions after 2020 will occur in 2040 and 2060. However, the minimum visual separation between Jupiter and Saturn during both these events will be 1.1 degrees or 11 times farther than in 2020.
When we say that the 2020 conjunction is exceptionally close, we mean it. Over one thousand years, from 1600 to 2599, there are only six great conjunctions where Jupiter and Saturn’s minimum separation is less than 0.2 degrees: 1623, 1683, 2020, 2080, 2417, and 2477.
Stay with us to get notifications about the most noteworthy astronomical events! Wishing you clear skies and happy stargazing.
Text Credit:Vito Technology
Image Credit:Vito Technology
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According to: The 2020 Great Conjunction: Jupiter Conjunct Saturn In Aquarius
https://www.astrology.com/article/great-conjunction-saturn-conjunct-jupiter-in-aquarius-2020
Known as “the great conjunction,” the cyclical conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn that occurs every twenty years has been the preeminent method of demarcating historical eras in traditional astrology. When Jupiter and Saturn come together there is both the intensity of old forms dying as well as the fertility of new growth beginning to take shape. In the past century, their cycle has aligned with the transition in between decades, with the conjunctions and oppositions between Jupiter and Saturn marking the start of each decade. For example, there was a Jupiter and Saturn conjunction in 1980, an opposition in 1990, a conjunction in 2000, and an opposition in 2010. Jupiter and Saturn will form their next conjunction on December 21 of 2020 in the first degree of Aquarius, and so most of 2020 will take place during the end of their cycle. There will be an atmosphere of anticipation building during the year of being on the precipice of a new era, while simultaneously old issues will resurface in need of resolution.
Together Jupiter and Saturn combine expansive and imaginative vision with the structure and discipline needed to both manifest results as well as strip away the inessential. While Jupiter signifies generosity and fortunate opportunities, it can also lead to egoic greed and delusions of grandeur that requires the contemplative focus of Saturn to trim the excess and strengthen what is ready to ripen. At the same time, we need the inspirational revitalization of Jupiter to mediate the negative side of Saturn that can bring fear over limitations and obstacles and lead to depressive stagnation. During 2020 we will be in a constant balancing act of tempering between Jupiter and Saturn, with a need to shift in between the synthesizing growth of Jupiter and the methodical reordering of Saturn.
Though the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn every twenty years is always important, their union in 2020 has special and extraordinary significance. Jupiter and Saturn have a pattern of forming their conjunctions in the same element of astrology for approximately two hundred years, such as occurring in water signs from the beginning of the fifteenth century until the beginning of the seventeenth century and in fire signs from the beginning of the seventeenth century until the beginning of the nineteenth century. Since 1802 the Saturn and Jupiter conjunctions have been occurring in earth signs, with the final one occurring on May 28 of 2000 in Taurus. After the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius in 2020, there will continue to only be conjunctions between Jupiter and Saturn in tropical air signs until 2159.
Thus 2020 is at the end of a two-hundred-year era of Jupiter and Saturn uniting in earth signs. While the earth element signifies focus on material security and consolidation of resources that is resistant to change, the era of air will bring disruption to established orders and dramatic changes in collective ideas and the way we communicate. Vitally, not only will Jupiter and Saturn be uniting in Aquarius, they will also be forming a catalytic square aspect with Uranus in Taurus. At this pivotal moment in our journey, the lightning bolts of Jupiter and Uranus will not only bring down old societal structures but will also impel us to release old personal dreams and drama we have been attached to. There will be new challenges and unknown potential arising as we begin a new era of Jupiter and Saturn that we will need to make space for in our lives. During 2020 ask yourself what you need to leave behind and what you truly desire to carry forward.
According to Jupiter Saturn astrology
“Jupiter Saturn astrology. In December 2020, Jupiter and Saturn reach a conjunction at o° Aquarius 31′ . Because of the importance of this conjunction, which initiates for each person a significant 20-year process, I offer this brief discussion of the Jupiter Saturn cycle. In ancient times the cycle of these two planets were used to predict momentous collective events, especially events affecting kings and kingdoms. It has a long history of usage in the astrological tradition. In the book, Mundane Astrology, Charles Harvey writes:
These two planets used to be known as the “Great Chronocrators,” or rulers of the ages. Their cycle can be considered the ground base of human development which marks the interaction between the perception of ideas, potentialities, possibilities (Jupiter) and their manifestation in the concrete material world (Saturn). (1)
Jupiter and Saturn are the planetary pair that refers to the urge to find a mode of meaningful participation in social living. Alexander Ruperti called Jupiter and Saturn the planets of social destiny (2). Jupiter and Saturn are concerned with the formation of our sense of social purpose and direction, our quest for concrete achievements in the world. They are the planets most concerned with vocational development, the development of our occupation and our pursuit of success. They are the planets of positive, constructive social activity. The ongoing relationship between these two planets marks major phases of our developing life’s work, and the conjunction, in particular, is a time when we can form a new sense of social purpose or direction. All students and practitioners of astrology should give deep thought to this significant astrological event, the conjunction in December 2020.
The twenty year cycle of Jupiter and Saturn defines the story of our efforts to pursue constructive long-term projects, to build our life structures and enterprises. Jupiter-Saturn as a pair represents a positive, focused attitude, the attempt to define and focus our ambitions, whatever we seek to achieve. They signify our search for success in all of our activities. The major phases of their cycle correspond to turning points in our efforts to actualize our ambitions.
At the time of Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions we start to see new directions for our ambitions. We begin to formulate new goals for social activity and achievement. If the transiting conjunction (or other major phases of the cycle) falls in a powerful place in our natal chart, we may see specific accomplishments occurring at that time. The conjunction is the beginning of a formative process that will continue to unfold over the next twenty years.”
According to Charles Jameson (What are the benefits of the Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction in 2020?)
“There are several key benefits of the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in 2020.
I have written and presented on this topic many times. Most recently in a 3,000 word article for Wellbeing Astrology 2019 magazine.
Jupiter and Saturn conjunct about every 20 years. From 1802 to 1980, almost all these conjunctions were in Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn).
This period correlates with the Industrial Revolution.
In 1980, the conjunction occurred in an Air sign – denoting the start of a new era, that will last until about 2149. The chart for the 1980 conjunction featured a Cazimi Mercury. This indicates that we are in the Information Revolution. Or more correctly, the Inteligence Revolution.
In 2000 the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction was in an Earth sign. And in December 2020 it occurs one again in an Air sign. And will continue to do so for many years.
We can divide the 20 years between each Jupiter-Saturn conjunction into two phases. The first phase – the 10 years from conjunction to opposition, is about growth, opportunity and expansion. This phase is predominantly Jupiter-ish. It is like a waxing Moon.
The following Jupiter-Saturn opposition is like a full Moon. It marks the culmination of the Jupiter phase, and transition to the Saturn-dominated phase. Which is from the opposition to the next conjunction. Like a waning Moon.
December 2020 thus marks the beginning of about 10 years of growth, expansion and general optimism on a global scale.
Look back to the 1960s – which was a similar phase, culminating in 1969. That year saw the Moon landing. First flights of Concorde and Boeing 747. Woodstock. Easy Rider.
Likewise the 1980s and the massive rise of personal computing. And the fall of the Berlin Wall.
So the benefits of the 2020 Jupiter-Saturn conjunction is that humanity will be free from the stale and backward-focused period we are currently in. Fossil fuels will no longer be needed. Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, and incredible advances in ideas and technology are just around the corner.”
