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Jupiter & Saturn Conjunction

December 20, 2020 by
Jupiter & Saturn Conjunction – 12/20/2020, 18h23m EST

Jupiter & Saturn Conjunction – 12/20/2020, 18h23m EST

Camera: Canon 450D (Rebel XSi)

Lens: Canon EF 75-300 @ 150mm f/5.6

Filter: Sunpak UV/IR

Exposure: 1x2sec, ISO 400 saved as RAW

Darks: Internal (Long Exposure Noise Reduction On)

Software: Nebulosity, Photoshop

This is just a quick single frame of the Grand Conjunction taken about 24 hours before closest approach. Their separation at this time was 0.13 degrees (1/8th degree). I just used my Canon 450D on a tripod and a 2-second delay to allow vibrations to settle before the shutter tripped. If you look closely you can see a couple of Jupiter’s moons.  Over the next couple of nights the view will be very similar as Jupiter slowly slips off to the upper left.

Filed Under: Solar System Imaging

The Grand Conjunction

December 20, 2020 by
The Sky as viewed from the Miami Valley 30 minutes after sunset on 12/20/2020

The weather forecast for the Grand conjunction looks decidedly mixed with partly cloudy skies this evening (12/20), cloudy on the 21st (Monday, the Big Day), and clear on the 22nd (Tuesday), before turning cloudy again. Although it looks like it will be cloudy for the Main Event tomorrow night, keep in mind that the Grand Conjunction is a slow motion event that has been building for months and that only the closest approach between Jupiter and Saturn (1/10 of a degree) occurs tomorrow evening. This pairing should still be amazing to see this evening and Tuesday evening when they will be separated by less than 1/5th of a degree. Also, this event does not require a dark sky, only a reasonably clear view towards the southwest after sunset. You also do not need any special equipment, though a pair of binoculars or a small telescope might be nice.

Speaking of December 21st…

In addition to the Grand Conjunction, the Moon will be at first-quarter, making a fine target for small telescopes, and at 6:02am the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky, marking the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere and the start of its long journey northward.

Stay warm, and enjoy the view!

 

Filed Under: Public Events