“O Star of Wonder, Star of Night”
~ “We Three Kings,” composer John Henry Hopkins Jr.

Monday night was perfect for stargazing as a slight Santa Ana kept the sky clear. Like many we sought a location free from trees and other obstacles. We hitched up the camels and headed toward Deukmejian Wilderness Park. And, lo, there it was, in the western sky … The Star! Was this the same celestial configuration that beckoned the magi to the City of David?

Jupiter and Saturn since creation have moved close to each other, appearing as one bright orb in the night sky. Astrologers were quite knowledgeable back in biblical days, despite their limited technology. Even now, scientists and astrophysicists ponder the significance of the Christmas Star, also known as the Star of Bethlehem. Two planets merging in the sky … mere science or a miracle?
Jesus was reportedly born during the year 7 B.C. A light in the sky was recorded as a star and associated with Jesus’ birth, and thus named the Christmas Star. That, in fact, is why the “great conjunction,” as it’s more correctly called, is also known as the Christmas Star – because of its connection to the birth of Jesus.

I remember one of those childhood “ah ha!” moments. Did you know the stars shine during the day? Now that was unconceivable to a young mind. The presence of stars means it’s nighttime … it’s dark … and time for bed. But nope! They are out there shining as bright as ever, but the sun outshines them. Jupiter Saturn conjunctions happen every 20 years; the last one was in the year 2000.
But these conjunctions aren’t all created equal, which gives reason to such excitement over a couple of planets. For one, Monday was the winter solstice. This means people in the Northern Hemisphere (including the Crescenta Valley) experienced the first day of winter. On the flip side, summer solstice arrived in the Southern Hemisphere.

Second, the two largest planets of the solar system appeared in a rare “great conjunction” that same night, capturing the attention and awe of people across the world. Most of these events took place during the day when the sky was too bright to be visible.

Lastly, the 2020 conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be the closest to Earth since 1623 and the closest observable one since 1226!

My vote is for “miracle.”

Mild weather on Christmas Day will turn rainy and cold by Sunday. Reaching a hopeful one-inch, it’s the most rain since last April. As for tonight, outstanding sleigh driving conditions.

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley
resident and Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.