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PAGASA: Closest alignment of Jupiter, Saturn visible on Dec. 21

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Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/12/12/saturn.jpg"/><figcaption>(L-R) The waxing crescent moon and the planets Saturn and Jupiter are shown above a windmill at Western Trails Park on November 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. <em>Ethan Miller/Getty Images via AFP</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Save the date. </p><p>The closest alignment of the solar system&#x27;s largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, will be visible to the naked eye on Dec. 21, state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday.</p><p>The said planets, for the first time in 800 years, will appear visibly closest during the said date, in what astronomers hailed as the &quot;great conjunction.&quot;</p><p>PAGASA’s astronomical publication unit chief Jose Mendoza IV said the best time to witness the astronomical event would be after sunset. </p><p>Mendoza added that the conjunction would be spotted somewhere in the western horizon. </p><p>&quot;Buong Pilipinas, buong mundo &#x27;yan (na makakakita.) Makikita nila &#x27;yan pagkatapos lumubog (ng araw.) Kasi malapit na sila sa horizon mo, malapit na sila mag-set,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News. </p><p>(The whole Philippines, and the world, would witness the event. They would see it after the sun sets because the planets would be closer to the horizon.) </p><div><strong>RELATED STORIES: </strong></div><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/12/12/20/jupiter-and-saturn-head-for-closest-visible-alignment-in-800-years">Jupiter and Saturn head for closest visible alignment in 800 years</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/06/20/save-the-date-annual-geminids-meteor-shower-from-dec-7-to-17">Save the date: Annual Geminids meteor shower from Dec 7 to 17</a></li></ul><p>Mendoza explained that the closest alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, estimated to have a distance of 0.1 degrees as viewed from the earth, was possible because of their pacing on the ecliptic, or the planets&#x27; &quot;highway.&quot; </p><p>&quot;&#x27;Pag nagkakataon na ang kanilang speed ay nagkakasabay, as viewed from the earth, nagkakapang-abot sila sa ating paningin,&quot; he said. </p><p>(If their pacing becomes the same, they seemed to be aligned as viewed from the earth.) </p><p>He also emphasized that while the encounter happens every 20 years, the alignment this year is &quot;rare.&quot;</p><p>The planets will be this close again after 60 years, or in 2080, he said. </p><p>&quot;Padikit sila nang padikit, palapit nang palapit, hanggang sa almost magkalapit na sila... mas maliwanag siya kasi nag-combine ang liwanag.&quot; </p><p>(They become closer and closer and their light becomes one.) </p><p>The state weather bureau&#x27;s <a href="http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/astronomy/astronomical-diary">astronomical diary</a> pointed out that a person would need a &quot;modest-sized&quot; telescope to view the two planets&#x27; atmospheric features. </p><p>&quot;Satellites and rings will require a modest-sized telescope under a dark and clear sky condition,&quot; it read. </p><p>There have yet to be announcements from PAGASA regarding a special screening for the event, but Mendoza said the gathering of astronomers would not be possible due to the pandemic. </p><p>The astronomical event also coincides with the winter solstice, according to the weather bureau. </p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bDFSOQX8aAo?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>PAGASA’s astronomical publication unit chief Jose Mendoza IV said the best time to witness the astronomical event would be after sunset. <br /> </p>

PAGASA’s astronomical publication unit chief Jose Mendoza IV said the best time to witness the astronomical event would be after sunset.

PAGASA: Closest alignment of Jupiter, Saturn visible on Dec. 21

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PAGASA: Closest alignment of Jupiter, Saturn visible on Dec. 21

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 15, 2020 06:01 PM PHT

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