Rare celestial event today; Jupiter & Saturn to almost merge after 800 years

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Two of the largest planets of our solar system — Jupiter and Saturn — will seem to merge into a single planet in a rare celestial phenomenon known as 'Planetary Conjunction' on Monday. While the last such conjunction occurred nearly 800 years ago in 1226 AD, the next such occurrence will occur on March 15, 2080.

The Guwahati Planetarium in association with Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers' Association has arranged the observation of this planetary conjunction event for star gazers in the premises of the Guwahati Planetarium from 5 pm to 6 pm on Monday. During this time, the two planets will merge apparently to a single point in the sky. The degree of separation between the two planets will be within 0.1 degree, informed Planetarium Curator Babul Chandra Bora, adding that though the celestial phenomenon will be visible till December 27, the other days will not reflect the degree of separation of the first day.

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