The Great Conjunction aka Christmas Star

Here’s what I’ve learned:
– Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions happens every 20 years, but this one is the closest one since 1623 (almost 400 years ago) and the closest observable one since 1226 (almost 800 years ago.)
– 2020’s extra close Jupiter-Saturn conjunction won’t be matched again until March 15, 2080 and then not again until after 2400.
– Jupiter is the brighter planet in the photo, on the left and Saturn is on the right.  They just switched places today.
– I took these photos 45-60 minutes after sunset in the southwestern sky.
– My lens only goes to 250mm on a crop sensor 😦 so the dots are the best I could get. The streak in the one photo was a plane going by.
– I think the planets will remain in close alignment for the next few days and will still be easily visible to the naked eye when looking toward the southwest just after sunset.
– Check them out if you haven’t already and if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to see Jupiter’s four large moons orbiting the giant planet.