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Parts of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest will see a rare planetary alignment Monday night. The 

Jupiter and Saturn will practically kiss in the southwest sky just after sunset. The two planets will be just .1-degree apart. That’s the closest nighttime sky alignment in about 800 years since the two planets met in 1226. 

Parts of Minnesota will see mostly clear skies Monday evening. Clouds are breaking up across southwest Minnesota, and parts of northern Minnesota. The clear edge of the stratus cloud deck has been eroding near the southwest Twin Cities Monday. So parts of the Twin Cities may even sneak a peek at the two planets in the southwest sky this evening.

If skies are clear in your location, head outside just after sunset. Find a spot with a clear view of the southwest horizon. Jupiter and Saturn will appear as one bright star to the naked eye low in the southwest sky above the horizon. 

With binoculars or a telescope you will be able to see some of Jupiter’s moons.

If you miss the show Monday, there’s another chance for partly cloudy skies Tuesday night. Jupiter and Saturn will move slowly apart, so you will still be able to see them in close proximity for the next few weeks.

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Paul Huttner

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Parts of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest will see a rare planetary alignment Monday night.

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