STAY GOLD

If you’re going through a dark period, please remember that LIFE inspires LIFE. Don’t go and seek hope and positivity from those that are struggling themselves to find the true meaning of happiness. They may not intend to but chances are you will be left disappointed and discouraged. Being aware and acknowledge your environment is very important. Please reach out and/or interact with anyone/anything that are full of life and joy (like children, dogs, sunny/kind beings) and be inspired to live. Even if it’s in the littlest things such as a yard full of flowers, balloons, waves, throwing glitter all over yourself, books, music, your favorite meal/snacks all in one setting. Anything. Don’t permanently rob yourself of many great opportunities to come; don’t rob the right people the chance to have made it better. Please be kind to yourself & choose life.

To everyone,

Kind reminder, you have the potential to be the ‘right’ person. Please be kind, remember to pay attention and take action (it doesn’t always have to be direct action). Remember even if it may be the topic of discussion and funny in that moment, you don’t have to participate. Entertainment at another’s expense when they’re hurting is the lamest form of entertainment there is. We have to look after each other more.

Credits:  NASA/Bill Ingalls

Have you noticed two bright objects in the sky getting closer together with each passing night? It’s Jupiter and Saturn doing a planetary dance that will result in the Great Conjunction on Dec. 21. On that day, Jupiter and Saturn will be right next to each other in the sky – the closest they have appeared in nearly 400 years!

Skywatching Tips from NASA

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

For those who would like to see this phenomenon for themselves, here’s what to do:

Find a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky, such as a field or park. Jupiter and Saturn are bright, so they can be seen even from most cities.

An hour after sunset, look to the southwestern sky. Jupiter will look like a bright star and be easily visible. Saturn will be slightly fainter and will appear slightly above and to the left of Jupiter until December 21, when Jupiter will overtake it and they will reverse positions in the sky.

The planets can be seen with the unaided eye, but if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to see Jupiter’s four large moons orbiting the giant planet.

How to Photograph the Conjunction

Credits: NASA/Bill Dunford

Saturn and Jupiter are easy to see without special equipment, and can be photographed easily on DSLR cameras and many cell phone cameras. Here are a few tips and tricks:

These planets are visible in the early evening, and you’ll have about 1-2 hours from when they are visible, to when they set. A photo from the same location can look completely different just an hour later!

Using a tripod will help you hold your camera steady while taking longer exposures. If you don’t have a tripod, brace your camera against something – a tree, a fence, or a car can all serve as a tripod for a several-second exposure.

The crescent Moon will pass near Jupiter and Saturn a few days before the conjunction. Take advantage of it in your composition!

Get more tips HERE.

Still have questions about the Great Conjunction?

Our NASA expert answered questions from social media on an episode of NASA Science Live on Thursday, Dec. 17. Watch the recording HERE.