Planetary conjunction offers rare Christmastime view

The two largest planets in our solar system passed more closely than in 400 years on Dec. 21 to form a “Christmas star” visible to the naked eye. According to the Nationa Aeronautics and Space Administration, Jupiter and Saturn last aligned so closely in 1623 as Jupiter overtook Saturn. Jupiter and Saturn align and cross paths approximately every 20 years, but it has been nearly 800 years since…

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