A rare alignment in space is set to thrill stargazers this weekend. The “Christmas Star” – actually Venus – will be the brightest object in the night sky, accompanied by the crescent moon and possibly spectacular displays of the Northern lights. Jupiter will also reach opposition on Saturday, appearing as the next brightest planet after Venus.
According to NASA planetary scientist Henry Throop, this is an excellent opportunity for people to gaze up at the stars without needing any special equipment. “Right now is a great time to go outside and look up at the night sky,” he said.
The term “Christmas Star” historically referred to celestial events involving Jupiter or Saturn, but with Venus taking center stage, it’s being revived this year. When Jupiter is in opposition, it appears brightest due to its proximity to the sun and Earth.
To spot Jupiter, look for it around sunset near overhead, but not directly above. Most stargazing events can be observed without any additional tools beyond a pair of eyes. Throop emphasized that observing the night sky has been a human pursuit for thousands of years, making this an exciting time to rekindle the tradition.
Ancient texts describe a Star of Bethlehem guiding prophets and travelers, with some speculating it could have been Jupiter. However, given Venus’ prominent visibility in the sky, researchers now use computers to model ancient planetary positions, lending credence to these early astronomical observations.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/christmas-star-grace-night-sky-weekend/story?id=116445474