Sky show: Jupiter and Saturn dazzle; northern lights possible

Keep an eye on the southwest sky just after sunset for the next couple of weeks.

Jupiter (bright red) and Saturn (smaller white) are bright in the southwest sky near the horizon.

The two planets are drawing closer and will appear closer than they have in the last 800 years on the winter solstice on Dec. 21.

The occurrence of a great conjunction near the winter solstice is sometimes called the Christmas Star. This rare planetary alignment hasn’t occurred in about 800 years.

Northern lights potential?

A solar storm is sending a burst of energy called a “Coronal Mass Ejection” toward Earth.

Northern lights are quite possible the next two nights as the burst interacts with the Earth’s magnetosphere. The forecast for the “auroral oval” brings higher chances for northern lights to near the northern U.S. after midnight Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

There are a few clouds across parts of Minnesota Wednesday night, but keep an eye out if you have clear skies.