Today (Monday) marks the shortest day, meaning the days will only get longer from now.

Winter solstice has the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year when the sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation.

This year's winter solstice will feature an astronomical highlight which has not been seen for almost 800 years.

The 'Great Conjunction' of Jupiter and Saturn will see the two planets align so closely that, to the naked eye, they will appear as a single object in the sky.

Professor Glenn Patrick, particle physicist and science communicator in Lyme Regis, said: "Although these alignments occur about once every 20 years, this will be the closest visible alignment since 1226.

"The next time these two planets are this close will be in March 15, 2080, so - clouds permitting - make sure you take this opportunity to observe these majestic clockwork movements of the solar system.

"Jupiter is easily the largest planet in the solar system orbiting the sun every 12 years at a distance of 474 million miles.

"Saturn, with those iconic rings of ice and rock, is the second largest planet and, because it is 928 million miles away from the sun, orbits every 29 years.

"These orbital differences mean that over the last few weeks Jupiter has been chasing the slower Saturn and from our earthly perspective it will catch up on December 21."

Look to the south west for Jupiter, not to be confused with the red planet of Mars which can be seen in the east. Saturn will be fainter and will be to the left of Jupiter.

A good time to see the two planets will be 5pm, but don't leave it too late as they will sink below the horizon shortly after 6pm.

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