{"id":618,"date":"2020-12-16T11:02:14","date_gmt":"2020-12-16T18:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanjuanstargazers.org\/?p=618"},"modified":"2020-12-16T12:05:07","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T19:05:07","slug":"there-is-much-to-see-in-december-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanjuanstargazers.org\/index.php\/2020\/12\/16\/there-is-much-to-see-in-december-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"There is Much to See in December 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE  SAN  JUAN  STARGAZERS   SUGGEST  WE   END  2020  LOOKING  UP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are times when the night sky gets exceptionally interesting & even exciting.\u00a0 That is what happened during the last 50 years that the ancient people lived at Chimney Rock.\u00a0\u00a0 You can learn more about it at any of our Night Sky Programs given from May to September on two Friday nights each month.\u00a0 The dates for 2021 have not been set as yet, but check out our web-site: sanjuanstargazers.org in a few months.\u00a0 Plan on coming to one of our programs this \u00a0summer.\u00a0 If you are a local, you do not have to pay extra for a reservation, but just arrive early (not sure of the regular cost) & we should be able to include you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

December 2020  is  one of those times  when interesting things are going on in the sky.  We will end this difficult  year LOOKING UP & being reminded that we live IN AN AMAZING UNIVERSE.  You can add your own commentary about it, if you like.  It just makes me happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RARE “GREAT CONJUNCTION” OF JUPITER & SATURN <\/strong> LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON JULY 16, 1623, BUT IT WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM EARTH.
LAST TIME IT WAS VISIBLE TO HUMANS WAS MARCH 4, 1226.(800 YEARS AGO)
IT WILL NOT BE VISIBLE AGAIN UNTIL MARCH 15, 2080.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the evening of Monday, December 21, which is the Winter Solstice,\u00a0 Jupiter & Saturn, the two giant gas planets of our Solar System will appear closer to each other than they have for 400 years, since July 16, 1623.\u00a0 \u00a0In Astronomy it is called a “great conjunction.\u201d<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Some people are calling this \u00a0one \u00a0a \u201cChristmas Star\u201d because a similar conjunction possibly took place the year of Christ\u2019s birth, but \u00a0included an additional planet &\u00a0 it was called the \u00a0\u201cStar of Bethlehem\u201d which the 3 Wise men from the East noted to search for the Christ-child, born in a manger. Their famous gifts were Gold, Frankincense & Myrrha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 In 1623, the conjunction took place so close to the Sun that it probably was not visible.  The last time it was readily visible was 800 years ago on March 4, 1226.  Think of what that time period was like, called the dark ages. What did they think it was?  What did it mean??  A lot has happened & changed since then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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INNER BLUE RING IS EARTH. ORANGE AREA IS JUPITER. YELLOW IS SATURN. ORBITS OF JUPITER & SATURN ARE 400,000,000 MILES APART. PLANETS GET CLOSER EVERYDAY UNTIL THE ” CONJUNCTION” ON DECEMBER 21, 2020<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During these first 3 weeks of December, Jupiter & Saturn are seen in the Southwestern sky in the hour after sunset each night getting closer & closer.\u00a0 It is also considered rare because of how bright the planets appear. It will be noticeable that the planets do not twinkle as\u00a0 stars do. They can be viewed best with a telescope, better with regular binoculars, but also quite well with the naked eye.\u00a0 So step out any night to take a look<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jupiter & Saturn are actually 400,000,000 miles apart.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This conjunction will not be seen again until March 15, 2080.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I want to mention the significance of the winter solstice on December 21.    As the days progress from the Fall Equinox, daylight becomes shorter & shorter.  We all know the feeling of waking up & it is still dark and then in the PM the school bus arrives as the sun is setting and too quickly it is too dark to play outside.   The Winter Solstice is that magical day when the daylight hours stop getting shorter and days slowly, but surely start to lengthen.  That is why the Ancient people held big celebrations & it was easy for Christianity  to turn this time of year into a celebration of  Christ\u2019s birth.  He actually was not born in the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was & is another special event taking place in December.  The Geminid meteor shower of 2020 which peaked the night of December 13, was supposed to be wonderful, but was not visible this year from my neighborhood.  This meteor shower happens every year in mid-December when the Earth passes through the debris or dust trail of Asteroid 3200 Phaethon.  The Geminids can generate over 100 \u201cshooting stars\u201d each hour.  They can be exciting to watch if  you are warmly dressed & have hot chocolate in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GEMINID Meteor Shower every mid- December<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 The DEEP  SPACE  MYSTERIES  CALENDARS<\/u><\/strong>  are  an annual fund raising project for the San Juan Stargazers Astronomy Club.  They are a constant  reminder that we live in an amazing  Universe and have much to learn.   Astronomy Magazine, the world\u2019s best-selling astronomy magazine produces the calendars filled with dramatic images of nebulae, spiral  galaxies, planets, star-forming regions & other mysteries of Deep  Space. Many  of  the best Hubble photos  are featured, one for each month with several paragraphs  describing  and  giving other information, so you will learn the most important facts.  After 12 unique fantastic pictures with information,  you will have a  basic summary of astronomy.  Great for students of ALL AGES!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The days of each month detail planet  visibility, meteor showers, conjunctions & other observing opportunities, as well as moon phases and major astronomical events.  Wouldn\u2019t it be cool to know what planets you are seeing any given night?  And  SO  MUCH  MORE!!!  Living in Pagosa we have to take advantage & enjoy our exceptional night skies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like a calendar call 303-995-2888 to leave a message.  Someone will get back to you to make arrangements for you to get your calendar. They are $15, larger than usual calendars, fabulous information & amazing pictures.  Well-worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The San Juan Stargazers are part of the Astronomical League, which includes clubs from all over the US.  We have a web-site<\/strong>—www.sanjuanstargazers.org.   Our club address is PO BOX  2217,  P.S.  81147.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE  SAN  JUAN  STARGAZERS   SUGGEST  WE   END  2020  LOOKING  UP There are times when the night sky gets exceptionally interesting & even exciting.\u00a0 That is what happened during the last 50 years that the ancient people lived at Chimney Rock.\u00a0\u00a0 You can learn more about it at any of our Night Sky Programs given from…
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