Cosmic dance: Jupiter and Saturn approach nearest point in 400 years

Saturn, above, and Jupiter approach their nearest point in 400 years, as seen in this photo taken using a telescope on Monday in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Jupiter and Saturn were nearly at their closest point in 400 years on Monday evening, an astronomical phenomenon that could be observed across the nation by looking in the southwestern sky.

The two planets approach each other about every 20 years, according to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. However, the view differs each time due to the different inclination of their orbits around the sun.

To the human eye, the distance between the two planets looks to be about one-fifth the size of a full moon.

This phenomenon is known as the "great conjunction" and was noted as far back as 1623, in the time of the great polymath Galileo Galilei.

Stargazers can observe this historic celestial show again on Tuesday evening.

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