A once-in-a-lifetime Christmas star unseen 400 years ago will be seen from TODAY – and this is exactly how you see it
- The crescent moon will pass Jupiter and Saturn makes a connection on December 17th
- Jupiter and Saturn will appear as one star in ‘Great Conjunction’ on December 21st
- The two planets near the Earth are expected to align for the first time in 400 years
- Stargazers will see the wonder at around 9pm Eastern Australia time
- Those who use a telescope can see the individual planets and their branches
A Christmas star once in the Christmas season will shine in the skies on Thursday for the first time in 400 years.
Jupiter and Saturn align in the night sky on December 21 and appear as one bright star in a moment called the ‘Great Conjunction’.
But Australian stars will see the surprise as early as Thursday when Jupiter is slowly closing in on Saturn, according to the Perth Observatory website.
Matt Woods of the Perth Observatory said they should look at the coalition on Thursday, that Australians should look low on the horizon in the southwest between 7: 30-9: 30pm.
Australia’s skies light up with a ‘once in a lifetime’ event as Jupiter and Saturn (pictured above) align in ‘Great Conjunction’ at around 9pm (AEDT) at 21 December

The two planets appear as one bright star in the night sky (example photo in the picture).
Jupiter ‘becomes one of the brightest in the west,’ with the moon and the two planets forming a triangle shape.
Mr Woods said the last time the rare planetary alignment appeared so close to Earth ‘the telescope had just been formed’.
‘It grows very close to every two decades but the last time they were so close was when Galileo was still alive on 16 July 1623,’ he said.
Mr Woods said the Big Coalition would be ‘visible all over the world’ and could be enjoyed by die-hard enthusiasts and casual stargazers.
‘They appear almost one star between 7.30pm and 9.30pm (AWST) and you don’t need a telescope to see them,’ he explained.
‘It’s something that people can go out into their back gardens and look at. ‘
The wonder will be seen at around 9pm on the east coast.
Mr Woods said stars who use binoculars or a telescope could even see their respective planets and branches nearby.
Both planets will be visible for a week around December 21st.
Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is the second largest in the solar system and the only place outside the Earth where surface liquid has been found.

Stargazers that use a telescope (image file in the picture) will also be able to see the individual planets and their branches. The last thing happened about 400 years ago
Mr Woods also urged stars to find a flat and bright place to see the planets.
‘They’re very low on the horizon, so if people have buildings or trees on the horizon to the west, it’s best to go out early and check,’ he explained.
‘Or just go to a local park and have a look.’
Mr Woods welcomed stars into the Perth Observatory and Fremantle Sidewalk Astronomy to see the wonder at North Coogee Dogs Beach.