When the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31st, heralding the start of 2004, dash outside and look up. Directly overhead you'll see a yellow star outshining the others around it. That star is a planet: Saturn, having its closest encounter with Earth for the next 29 years.
"Saturn's going to be really beautiful," says NASA astronomer Mitzi Adams. "Not only will Saturn be about as close to Earth as it can get--748 million miles away--but also its rings are tipped toward us. Sunlight reflected from Saturn's rings makes the planet extra bright."
Saturn rings in the new year
And for Christmas night check this out...
As evening approaches on Christmas, Dec. 25th, step outside and look west toward the setting sun. Even before the sky turns completely dark you can see them: brilliant Venus and the crescent moon hanging together not far above the horizon--a beautiful sight.
Christmas sunset
"Saturn's going to be really beautiful," says NASA astronomer Mitzi Adams. "Not only will Saturn be about as close to Earth as it can get--748 million miles away--but also its rings are tipped toward us. Sunlight reflected from Saturn's rings makes the planet extra bright."
Saturn rings in the new year
And for Christmas night check this out...
As evening approaches on Christmas, Dec. 25th, step outside and look west toward the setting sun. Even before the sky turns completely dark you can see them: brilliant Venus and the crescent moon hanging together not far above the horizon--a beautiful sight.
Christmas sunset
