A Christmas Star Will Light Up The Montana Sky For The First Time In Centuries
×
Jessica Wick
Author
There’s no denying that this has been a pretty tough year for many. Luckily, we’re about to end the year with a glimmer of hope. On December 21, the solstice will bring more than the beginning of winter. For the first time in centuries, we’ll get a glimpse of what is known as the Christmas Star.
If you can get to a stretch of big, open sky without much artificial light, you'll be able to enjoy a great view.
It's actually not a star at all. It's Jupiter and Saturn aligning just right with Earth so that they appear to merge together as one bright beam of light.
Advertisement
While the planets are actually millions of miles apart, they will appear to merge.
Advertisement
Related Stories
A Trip To Montana Snowbowl Will Make Winter Your Favorite Season
In 2017, Montana Plunged Into An Arctic Freeze That Makes This Year's Winter Look Downright Mild
Watch Winter Turn To Spring On The Storm Castle Peak Trail In Montana
That's less than 1/5th the diameter of the moon.
The last time the Christmas Star was visible to us on Earth was 1226 A.D. The reason for the Christmas Star nickname is because experts believe the real star of Bethlehem that's referred to in the Christian Bible was, in fact, a rare conjunction between Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter.
If you miss it, you won't have the chance to see it again until March of 2080.
After this tumultuous year, we could certainly use a Christmas miracle. Don’t miss the opportunity to view the Christmas Star!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.