Once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a 'Great Conjunction' of Saturn and Jupiter tonight

A rare phenomenon is going to be visible in the skies above the UAE this evening as the planets Jupiter and Saturn will cross paths at night in a "Great Conjunction" for the first time in almost 800 years.

It will also be their closest alignment in four centuries.

The planets regularly appear to pass each other in the solar system but not this near.

Though the two planets will seem to be spectacularly close, Jupiter and Saturn are actually 734,000 km apart.

The US space agency Nasa says almost everyone in the world will able to see the event.

Tickets are still available for a special viewing at Dubai's Al Thuraya Astronomy Center in Mushrif Park.

But if you can't make it there, Nasa says you should find a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky, such as a field or park.

An hour after sunset, look to the southwestern sky.

Jupiter and Saturn are bright and can be seen with the unaided eye.

But if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to see Jupiter’s four large moons orbiting the giant planet.

The next chance you'll get to see this conjunction will be March 15, 2080.