Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for December 11, 2020

Something that happens only once about every 800 years, but most people don’t seem to care, about this unusual event.

People who are afraid to go outside to view this event suffer from conjunctionitis.

Saturn and Jupiter do not meet. It’s an eclipse of two planets.

Janis really wanted to know that.

I would like to see it but too cold out. and dark. They say the aurora borealis is visible this far south tonight (Seattle) but you probably have to live in a skyscraper to see over the trees.

:’( know about it but cloudy here

Said the night wind to the little lamb Do you see what I see Way up in the sky little lamb Do you see what I see A star, a star Dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite With a tail as big as a kite

From the looks of things in panel 4 Arlo is more interested in the moons than the planets.

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius

P.S., Don’t blame me, blame my mind

I think it’s more important if Mars and Venus are close! LOL

They were right together a couple of weeks ago. They’ve been side by side for the last three months.

So it’s the Age of, not Aquarius, but what?

She must have gone to bed real early.

Janis can see it on the Sky Map app on her phone.

So shuck down, gal!

Our weather forecast for the next three weeks: Rain likely. Cloudy

Yup, been there. Can’t understand why my wife doesn’t get as exited about stellar events.

Looks like Arlo just can’t wait for the big day.

They’re actually only visible shortly after the sun goes down, so no need to stay up late.

I’m excited about and hoping to see the conjunction on the 21st. We are surrounded by trees so need to drive to a good spot for viewing.

But why is he wearing that newsboy cap and looking so morose?

been there, done that, got the same reaction

“Appearances can be deceiving. Now go back to bed.”

I’ll be there, I’ll be there ……

Thank you Carl Sagan, now get back to bed……

I understand that when Jupiter and Saturn are in conjunction this causes earthquakes. Let’s see how long it takes to go from “I understand” to “fact”.

Perhaps when the two are in-line they will cause a North Star over a town in Bethlehem signaling the return, and the end. Or it’s just a nice thing to look at.

We’ve been watching them dance for months.

Janis says, “Wake me up again and I’ll kick you in Uranus.”

I’m SO glad Saturn and Jupiter are working things out.

The true astronomer. Actually, Jupiter and Saturn are having their first conjunction in 20 years (Jupiter takes about 12 years to circle the sun, Saturn about 29). The whole 800 year thing is about how close they will be, about 0.1 degree apart on December 21. The full moon is about 0.5 degrees across. Enjoy.

I love this one.

And that bit of information couldn’t wait until the morning?

I think the view would be southwest of us here in Central Ontario so i might see it out the front window. Other than that, I guess I’ll miss it.

Since this particular comic seems to have attracted a lot of astronomy fans, including me, may I suggest y’all follow Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, on whatever social network you use. He is funny but very engaging and he knows his stuff. (Not a paid endorsement)

When the moon is in the seventh house

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars!

Overcast here tonight…sigh…

I’m not sure I can stay awake late enough!

Ever notice these once in 800 years things happen about every other month?

Next, he’ll be citing Einstein’’s general and special theories of relativity. That’ll get her so hot she will be clawing the sheet.

Honestly, after seeing the Great Leonid meteor storm of 66’, it’s not that big of a deal.

I didn’t know they had gotten a separation…

I do!

Except that Jupiter/Saturn set at about 7 pm, and will set earlier all the way to their conjunction on the 25th.

It’s “out” instead of “up”. Over there, close to the horizon just after sunset.

Saturn and Jupiter were nowhere near ~45° above the horizon in North Carolina. Where would this be the angle of sight?