Great Conjunction

How many times have you looked for the “Christmas Star” on cold December nights? Did you know that what we know as the “Christmas Star” is a planetary conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn? As the two planets travel “closely” together around this time of the year, Jupiter catches up to and passes Saturn in an event known as the “great” conjunction. NASA says that skywatchers are in for an end-of-year treat this December 21 as 2020’s planetary conjunction will be a rare spectacle. It has been nearly 800 years since the planets passed this close at night, allowing nearly everyone around the world to observe the event.

For events such as this one, inventor Jason Griesbach filed U.S. Patent Application 2012/0188369 for an “Astronomy Camera with Real Time Image Viewing and Method of Use”. Griesbach explained that although astronomy as a hobby is gaining popularity, the complexity of the equipment required and exposure times of quality pictures still keeps many people from enjoying it as much as possible. His invention aimed to give real time feedback and display the picture taken by amateur photographers while the image is being exposed so that the user could observe, enjoy, and make changes if necessary.

If you want to observe today’s phenomenon without equipment, don’t worry. NASA recommends finding a spot with an unobstructed view and looking towards the southwestern sky around 1 hour after sunset. If you have binoculars or a small telescope you may even be able to see Jupiter’s four large moons.

For more info on today’s “Great Conjunction” click here. For more information on patents and patent law, visit our website adventip.com or give us a call at 402.502.1020.