A Christmas Star Will Light Up The Ohio Sky For The First Time In Centuries

Although it's been quite a challenging and dark year, a rare Christmas star will light up the night just four days before the beloved holiday arrives. Here in Ohio, you can spot this spectacular Christmas star just after sunset on the evening of December 21, 2020. It's a rare celestial event that hasn't occurred since the Middle Ages—and you won't want to miss it.

If you look to the sky on the night of December 21 this year, you'll witness a beautiful phenomenon that's commonly called the Christmas Star.

Approximately 800 years have passed since this brilliant astronomical event occurred.

No matter where you are in the Buckeye State, you'll be able to spot the phenomenon in the low southwestern horizon right after sunset.

From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River, the Christmas Star will shine bright over Ohio this year.

Interestingly enough, the Christmas Star isn't actually a star. It's a rare alignment of Jupiter and Saturn where the planets are so close to one another that they actually appear as one giant star.

Astronomers report that such a close alignment won't happen again until early March 15 of the year 2080.

The Christmas Star name originates from the idea that some astronomers believe that the biblical Star of Bethlehem was also the result of a rare alignment of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.

This is the same star that serves as the inspiration for Christmas tree toppers around the world.

Since nearly nothing about the year 2020 has been typical, it's fitting (and maybe a bit magical?) that a rare phenomenon would occur on the Winter Solstice.

Just look to the sky, Ohio!

Where will you be on the night of December 21 this year? Share your thoughts with us!