Watch for the ‘Christmas Star’ Starting Next Week
December 17, 2020
This article appeared in the Coeur d’Alene Press on Dec. 17.
Star-gazers will be able to catch a once-in-a-lifetime sight with the “Christmas star” or “Great Conjunction of 2020” as early as next Wednesday or Thursday next week with clear nights when Jupiter and Saturn appear at their closest at a tenth of a degree apart. University of Idaho physics professor Jason Barnes said the main event will be on Monday, Dec. 21, which also marks the Winter Solstice, bringing the shortest amount of daylight and the longest night. Read more.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu