The Star of Bethlehem is paying us a visit this winter solstice!

Today, Monday 21st December, will mark the 'Great Conjunction' of Jupiter and Saturn, where the two planets will come the closest they have in hundreds of years.

At just 0.1 degrees apart, the two biggest planets in our solar system will appear indistinguishable: a huge, shining star in the twilight sky, which will be visible all over the globe.

The last time this happened was on 16th July 1623, just a few years after Shakespeare's death. However, this would have taken place in the daytime, and so would have been invisible to the naked eye.

"The last one which actually would have been well placed to be seen was 1226, so we're going back 800 years to the last one which would have been up in the dark sky to be seen," said astronomer, Professor Michael Burton.

Prof Burton also added that a planetary conjunction may have been behind the story of the Star of Bethlehem.

"Whether it was a conjunction, whether it was a comet, whether it was a supernova. No-one actually knows what it was," he said.

How to see the Great Conjunction

The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be at its most visible just after sunset, between 4:30pm and 6pm.

If the skies are clear, you should be able to see the planets with the naked eye by looking to the south west. However, using a telescope or binoculars will help.

Don't confuse the glow of Jupiter with the red colouration of Mars, which can be seen in the east. Saturn will be slightly fainter and sitting to the left of the largest planet.

The Royal Astronomical Society recommends that people find an open line of sight, without any tall buildings obstructing the view, as the aligned planets will be sitting low on the horizon.