Planets to appear aligned nearly creating 'Christmas star' last widely visible 800 years ago | State and Regional
When something inordinately rare or unexpected happens, it is said âthe planets aligned.â On Dec. 21, the winter solstice, two planets will appear nearly aligned, resulting in an event so uncommon itâs befitting of the saying. At one time, astronomers may have felt it so closely resembled a Christmas miracle â or, perhaps, the star of Bethlehem â that they named the spectacle the âChristmas Star.â The event is called a conjunction, said Shane Larson, associate director of Northwesternâs Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysi...
Source: herald-review.com