On Dec. 21, the night of the winter solstice, two of our solar system’s biggest planets passed by one another in a rare cosmic event known as a planetary conjunction.
During the event, also referred to as the “Christmas Star,” Jupiter and Saturn appeared to unite for a few brief moments and shine as one bright double planet. It was the closest the two planets had appeared from Earth’s vantage in over 800 years.
People and organizations from around the world took to Twitter to share their photos and thoughts about the event.
Here’s a sampling of what they said:
NASA described the conjunction as an international moment of unity and shared an image of the event.
People around the world shared a moment of unity Dec. 21 when we looked up to admire the same thing: the Great Conjunction. Did you see it? Reply w/ your photos & videos.
— NASA (@NASA) December 22, 2020
Missed it? Don't worry; Jupiter & Saturn will still look impressive for the next few days.
📸: @NASAHQPhoto pic.twitter.com/GqhowvM8WX
This Las Vegas-based reporter was wowed by image of the conjunction taken from the desert.
WOW! An amazing photo of the Christmas Star from the middle of the desert. You can see why the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is so magical, especially this time of year. #8NN
— David Charns (@davidcharns) December 22, 2020
(📷: Jenelle Jacks) pic.twitter.com/4XZAmiatL6
Some Twitter uses expressed their misfortunes about not being able to see the event, like this person in Ireland.
Jupiter/Saturn Conjunction in Ireland #Weather #jupitersaturnconjunction #jupitersaturnconjunction2020 pic.twitter.com/UVyVjTi0Qz
— Paweł Przenieślik (@przenieslikp) December 22, 2020
The skies above astronaut Time Peake also weren’t ideal for stargazing.
Found a brilliant spot to watch the #greatconjunction yesterday. Unfortunately, it’s looking too cloudy here tonight to see #JupiterandSaturn. If you’re lucky to have clear skies, look west shortly after sunset to see this rare celestial event. I’d love to see your photos! #space pic.twitter.com/h1EO9mEVRB
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) December 21, 2020
A couple of Twitter users saw the event as an opportunity to crack “Star Wars” jokes.
The great conjunction looked epic yesterday pic.twitter.com/U1NPuvHHj3
— Hector Navarro is hype for Obi-Wan Kenobi (@imhectornavarro) December 23, 2020
Here's my photo of Jupiter and Saturn tonight, the closest they've been in 800 years pic.twitter.com/hwedeT5xVf
— abby sue (@abbyy_suee) December 21, 2020
And this user made a playful reference to “School House Rock!”
The Great Conjunction (2020) pic.twitter.com/gySBCDVjzn
— david.com (@zepturo) December 22, 2020
This user made her own “Grand Conjunction.”
I’m home alone and celebrating the #GrandConjunction by conjuncting a whole roast chicken with a whole dish of stuffing pic.twitter.com/0k82dmjrt1
— Sarah Thyre (@SarahThyre) December 22, 2020
An account solely dedicated to Katy Perry news reported that the singer and her fiancée, Orlando Bloom, spent the evening watching the conjunction from an observatory.
The Everglades National Park Twitter account posted some stunning images of the “Christmas Star” captured by park staff.
Did you get a chance to see the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn last night?!
— Everglades National Park (@EvergladesNPS) December 22, 2020
Here are a couple shots one of our staff took in the park at Sisal Pond last night.
NPS Photos by M. Collier pic.twitter.com/YzD2EaY0wL