For those who have never observed a close conjunction of planets in the night sky, the upcoming winter solstice will offer a show whose parallel will not occur again until 2080: a grand conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn. Watch this video to learn where to look and when, in your particular vicinity. (You can also learn something about the Geminid meteor shower, and receive a good explanation of what happens at the winter solstice.)
This blog has always been fascinated by connections between science and the Bible. Since it is the season of the Nativity, it is perhaps time to remind readers of my Christmas post in 2009, which laid out what I believe is the best astronomical explanation for the phenomenon called the Star of Bethlehem. You can also delve, if you are so inclined, into the detailed mathematics behind the frequencies (and in some cases, the rarities) of planetary conjunctions. I have updated and checked all the links, and the Starry Night videos all appear to be working (give them time to load before trying to run them) -- so have at it! A very merry Christmas to all!
I had very good views of Saturn and Jupiter this year from my observatory. We wish you and yours a very merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you publishing a bit more A. S. Haley. I miss your insightful thoughts on various subjects.
ReplyDeleteI'm an engineer, thirty-five years into my profession, and would say that true science is really nothing more than analytical look into the wonder of God's creation. The "scientists" we hear about believe that what they find in "science" brings them to a level closer with God, not into stronger belief (if any belief at all) in Him. That, to me, is the prime reason the morons in major media put so much stock in what they say. If only they could see Truth.
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