How rare is the Jupiter-Saturn Great Conjunction? Can I take a picture with my phone? An astronomer answers these and other questions The two planets will appear near each other in the Monday night sky By Marisol Chávez On the night of the winter solstice, Dec. 21, two planets will appear to close together in the sky, shining together as almost one body. The event has been called a “Christmas Star,” referencing the Star of Bethlehem from the biblical story, according to the Christian tradition, in which the three wise men were led by the star’s light to the newborn baby Jesus.