Jupiter and moons getting in line with Saturn, Dec. 2020 Last year ended with a rare occurrence in the sky. Jupiter and Saturn had a rendezvous on December 21st right after sunset. Called a great conjunction because the planets would be in line with each other and separated by less than 0.1 degrees. The last time that these two planets were separated by that small degree was almost 800 years ago, in 1226.
With this rare occurrence taking place just before Christmas, many scholars theorized that the original Christmas star could have been a great conjunction of two or three planets. This theory is added to the other theories about the Star of Bethlehem being a supernova explosion, comet, or an act of God.
Nevertheless, passed down through the last two millennium is word about Three Wise Men using a bright light in the night sky to find the location of the infant Jesus. Christian lore later on gave names to the visiting Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. They gifted gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We celebrate the visit of Magi today on January six. Sadly with all of today's noise, a rare occurrence in the night sky goes mostly unnoticed. The complete opposite from two thousand years ago when people were enthralled with an occurrence such as this in the night sky.
I can only speak from my own experiences. Many years ago, I was blessed to see our Milky Way in the clear night sky. I was driving back to Miami from the island of Key West. I had just gone over the 7 mile Bridge, away from big city lights and small town lamp posts. I pulled off the road and stepped out of the car I rented. I took some timed photographs and stared upward while leaning on the car. Truly amazing and I was in awe. Such a wonder inspired by authority of the sacred and Sublime.
With this rare occurrence taking place just before Christmas, many scholars theorized that the original Christmas star could have been a great conjunction of two or three planets. This theory is added to the other theories about the Star of Bethlehem being a supernova explosion, comet, or an act of God.
Nevertheless, passed down through the last two millennium is word about Three Wise Men using a bright light in the night sky to find the location of the infant Jesus. Christian lore later on gave names to the visiting Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. They gifted gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We celebrate the visit of Magi today on January six. Sadly with all of today's noise, a rare occurrence in the night sky goes mostly unnoticed. The complete opposite from two thousand years ago when people were enthralled with an occurrence such as this in the night sky.
I can only speak from my own experiences. Many years ago, I was blessed to see our Milky Way in the clear night sky. I was driving back to Miami from the island of Key West. I had just gone over the 7 mile Bridge, away from big city lights and small town lamp posts. I pulled off the road and stepped out of the car I rented. I took some timed photographs and stared upward while leaning on the car. Truly amazing and I was in awe. Such a wonder inspired by authority of the sacred and Sublime.
Happy New Year,
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
