Image Details

Jerry Schad

The most recent conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurred in Taurus, in December 2000. Taken on December 16, 2000, in the Carrizo Badlands of California, this photo shows the conjunction from the west at approximately 3 a.m. The sky is illuminated by the light of a third-quarter moon. To the left in the photo is the constellation Orion, the hunter, lifting his weapon towards the great bull Taurus (see drawing of conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn). Jupiter and Saturn are just to the right of the bull’s front legs (indicated by the gently curving line of stars beneath his horns).

Jupiter and Saturn will next come into conjunction in 2020.