Area Witnesses Christmas Star
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Area Witnesses Christmas Star

Known as the Christmas star (above left of the electric pole), the celestial phenomenon has not been seen since 1623, and will not be seen again for another 60 years. Tim and Kristen Pierce (seated), Annandale; Evelyn Novins, Falls Church; and Mia Estes with her children, Jasper and Lulu, Lorton, were among those who came out to witness the Christmas star.

Known as the Christmas star (above left of the electric pole), the celestial phenomenon has not been seen since 1623, and will not be seen again for another 60 years. Tim and Kristen Pierce (seated), Annandale; Evelyn Novins, Falls Church; and Mia Estes with her children, Jasper and Lulu, Lorton, were among those who came out to witness the Christmas star. Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

Sunday, January 10, 2021

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

About a dozen people gathered on a small hilltop in Lorton at sunset Dec. 21 to be among the first in the area to witness the “the Great Conjunction”; the convergence of the gas giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn. Visible with the naked eye, Saturn appears to approach the larger, brighter Jupiter in days preceding the event, and then to form the illusion of a single bright star on Dec 21.

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

While the planets are actually hundreds of millions of miles apart, Dec. 21 marked the closest they have been in 400 years, and the first time in 800 years their conjunction occurred at night, making the event visible around the world.

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