Once in a lifetime celestial event will be visible over Delmarva

DELMARVA – If you’re looking for a once in a lifetime experience this December, look no further than up. On December 21st people on the Eastern Shore will get to see what’s called a “Christmas Star”. Laurel Middle School science teacher and NASA Solar System Ambassador Charles Fulco says that’s when Saturn and Jupiter will appear to be so close that they’re touching. “Even for people who don’t normally look up and notice things, you’ll notice this because Jupiter is very bright and Saturn is a little fainter but still noticeable,” said Fulco.

Fulco says this event only happens once every 800 years. He tells 47ABC that he’s using this once in a lifetime experience as a teaching opportunity for his students. “I’m having my students take note and do a log with the plotting every few days. Every three or four days, just plot how it looks in the sky,” said Fulco.

Plus, just a few days before the Christmas Star will shine over the Earth, star gazers will be able to look up and see the largest meteor shower of 2020. The Geminid Meteor Shower happens once a year. Fulco says getting out of bed at around 2 a.m. on December 13th and 14th will get you a front row seat to a captivating show. “That’s truly the only time you can see motion with the Earth because as we see meteors zooming through the sky, we’re actually the ones doing the moving,” said Fulco.

Fulco says these celestial events aren’t just opportunities to learn about the universe that we live in. They’re also a chance to reconnect and forget about the troubling times we’re living through here on Earth. “They’re doing their thing even while we’re going through this crazy time. So anytime you have a celestial distraction like this, I am all for it. I am just telling people get outside, shut your TV off, put your video games down, and go outside and look at this thing,” said Fulco.

There will also be a total solar eclipse this month. But it will only be visible in parts of South America. Meanwhile here at home, Fulco says that he’ll be out on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk with his telescope to help folks see the Christmas Star if weather allows.