STEM Nibbles
December 21, 2020

The Great Conjunction of Jupiter & Saturn: Your Ultimate Guide to Stargazing

On December 21st, 2020, stargazers were treated to an extra special celestial event. Not only was it the Winter Solstice—the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere—but the two largest planets of our solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, appeared to overlap in the night sky, forming a brilliant, rare “double planet.”

This incredible alignment, known as the “Great Conjunction,” was a moment that inspired millions to look up and marvel at the cosmos. If that event sparked your curiosity, you’re in the right place. This guide will help you turn that spark into a passion for astronomy.

A Celestial Spectacle 800 Years in the Making

While Jupiter and Saturn have a great conjunction every 20 years or so, the 2020 event was unique. What made it so special was the breathtaking proximity at which the two planets passed each other.

They were a mere 0.1 degrees apart, an alignment so close it hadn’t occurred in nearly 400 years. The icing on the cake was that this happened at night, allowing for clear viewing. The last time the Jupiter Saturn conjunction was this close and visible in the night sky was almost 800 years ago! The next one this spectacular isn’t expected until 2080, making the 2020 event a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Getting Started: From Naked Eye to Binoculars

The 2020 Great Conjunction was visible to the naked eye, a stunning reminder that you don’t always need fancy equipment to enjoy the night sky. However, to see more detail—like Jupiter’s moons or the rings of Saturn—you need a little help.

Before you look for a telescope for sale, consider starting with a good pair of binoculars for stargazing. They are affordable, easy to use, and an excellent first step into amateur astronomy. They can reveal craters on the Moon, star clusters, and the brighter moons of Jupiter, making them one of the best astronomy gifts for a budding enthusiast.

Choosing Your First Telescope: A Beginner’s Guide

Ready to take the next step? Choosing your first telescope can feel overwhelming, but we’ll break it down. The best telescope for beginners is one that you’ll use often, balancing power, portability, and ease of use.

Here are the main types you’ll encounter:

Refractor Telescope: This is the classic, long-tube telescope you probably picture. They are great for viewing the Moon and planets, require little maintenance, and are excellent for beginners.
Reflector Telescope (Dobsonian): These use mirrors instead of lenses. A popular type is the Dobsonian telescope, prized by amateurs for its simple, sturdy design and large aperture (the diameter of its main mirror). This makes it fantastic for gathering more light to see fainter, deep space objects like nebulae and galaxies. They often offer the best budget telescope value for their size.
Catadioptric (Compound) Telescope: These use a combination of mirrors and lenses to create a compact, portable telescope. They are versatile and powerful, but often come at a higher price point.

Many modern telescopes also come as a computerized telescope (or “GoTo” telescope), which can automatically find thousands of celestial objects for you. While convenient, learning to find objects manually is a rewarding part of astronomy for beginners.

Top Picks for Every Stargazer

Whether you’re looking for a cheap telescope to start or a more powerful instrument, there are great options available.

For the Family: Brands like Celestron and Gskyer offer fantastic starter kits. The Celestron FirstScope or Inspire series are often recommended as the best telescope for adults and kids to use together.

For the Serious Amateur: Look into larger Dobsonian models or a quality refractor telescope. These instruments provide stunning views and will keep you engaged for years.

For the Tech Lover: A digital telescope or smart telescope like the Unistellar eVscope can connect to your phone, automatically find objects, and even help you with basic astrophotography.

The Adventure Awaits

The Great Conjunction of 2020 was a beautiful reminder of the dynamic, incredible universe we are a part of. Whether you use your eyes, a pair of binoculars, or the best telescope you can find, the night sky is full of wonders waiting to be discovered. The next great alignment is decades away, but countless other celestial events are happening every single night.

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Footnote: This article serves as a starting point for anyone interested in STEM, science and tech, and experiential science. Whether you are a budding scholar conducting your first science fair project, undertaking academic search for a school assignment, or simply pursuing scientific research into real world science, the field of amateur astronomy offers endless opportunities for discovery and learning. This guide can be a valuable resource for both qualitative research on celestial events and quantitative research on astronomical data.