Jupiter, Saturn to form ‘Christmas Star’ for first time in 800 years

“If you have very good eyesight, you’ll still be able to make out the two planets, but to most of us it will appear as one object,” Professor Horner said.

For stargazers professional and amateur alike, it will be an added spectacle, with both planets clearly visible through a single telescope frame.

“For people with even small telescopes they’ll be able to get both planets in the same field of view at the same time, which will be breathtaking,” he said.

“I’m expecting some really otherworldly, almost science-fiction type images to come out of it, with Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons, it’s going to be incredible.”

The last time the planets aligned like this was in 1226, when Genghis Khan was consolidating power…