The “great conjunction” was much discussed today in the mainstream media, social media and TV.
The possibility of a no deal Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic have been viewed throughout much of 2020 as the 2 biggest challenges facing the UK.
However, the emergence of a new variant of the Covid-19 virus in London, East Anglia and south east England and soaring infection rates has led to the re-imposition of a tight tier 4 lockdown and the introduction of tough travel restrictions, all at a time when there are just days to the UK’s complete departure from the EU.
Previously distinct problems have come into a disastrous alignment or “great conjunction”, not helped by this Government’s ideology, dogma and intransigence in respect of Brexit and their appallingly slow, incompetent and chaotic management of the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I know son but at least we have taken back control of our fish"
The real natural world “great
conjunction” in December 2020 is the alignment of the largest
planets in our solar system, namely Jupiter and Saturn.
Monday 21st December 2020 was the date that these 2 planets were the closest in the evening sky than they have been for nearly 400 years. Jupiter and Saturn should have appeared side by side in a “great conjunction” above the horizon in the south west sky soon after sunset.
Unfortunately, tonight it rained! …. Clouds spoil UK's view of Saturn and Jupiter's “great conjunction”
Historically, such alignments of the planets were seen as
portents of events to come, from great fires and floods to the birth of Christ
and the ultimate collapse of civilisation. I am not sure that any of the
astronomers, astrologists, religious believers, soothsayers, seers, etc. at the time were able to predict the immense damage of Brexit or the immense human tragedy of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The orbital paths of Jupiter and Saturn ensure “great conjunctions” every 20 years but many of them are impossible to see with the naked eye because they happen during the daytime. Others are less impressive events since the planets do not come very close together. The 2020 “great conjunction” will be the closest since 1623.
It will be 2080 before Jupiter and Saturn align so closely again and I don't think I will be around to witness it then! .... I will be here.
However, hopefully by that time politics, economy and society may have long taken a different turn to a "new normal" after the terrible events of 2020.
Hopefully lessons will have been learnt regarding the incredible damage we are doing to our humanity and to our planet.
Hopefully by 2080 humans and all biodiversity will be inhabiting a much greener and sustainable planet.
Hopefully there will be no cloud and rain on the night of the "great conjunction" in 2080 although the Met Office long-term forecast doesn't extend this far ahead!
I have seen Jupiter and Saturn in close conjunction on most of my evening visits to St Nicholas Church to watch Badgers and Red Foxes during the last 2 months or so and with clear skies they have both been very easy to spot .... the planets that is, not Meles meles and Vulpes vulpes!
Maybe the coming nights will offer at least one opportunity to see an almost "great conjunction"?
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