Saturn will attain opposition this weekend when the ringed planet and the solar are instantly reverse of one another within the sky.
Simply after midnight tonight, Saturn will seem at its greatest and brightest within the evening sky. It is because Earth might be positioned instantly between Saturn and the solar, providing stargazers a spectacular sight — and an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the planet’s rings earlier than they flip edge on and “disappear” from view.
Showing within the constellation Aquarius, Saturn might be seen for a lot of the evening, rising at across the identical time that the solar units, and setting at across the identical time that the solar rises. The planet will formally attain opposition at 12:27 a.m. EDT (0427 GMT) on Sunday, Sept. 8, after which shortly after attain its highest level within the sky at 12:50 a.m. EDT (0450 GMT), in response to In-the-Sky.org.
Opposition happens when a planet is on the other aspect of the sky from the solar, with Earth in between. Throughout this time, Saturn may even be at its closest level to Earth in its orbit — referred to as perigee — making it seem brighter and bigger than at another time of the yr.
Across the time of opposition, viewers could expertise a phenomena referred to as the Seeliger Impact, throughout which Saturn’s rings — made from ice particles, rocky particles and cosmic mud — noticeably brighten. This happens as a result of “the ice particles are illuminated from nearly precisely the identical route from which we view them, which means that we see only a few that are in shadow,” in response to In-the-Sky.org.
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This weekend can also be the perfect time to get a glimpse of Saturn’s iconic rings earlier than they align edge-on with Earth in March 2025 and, as a consequence of their thinness, develop into unattainable to see. This disappearing act happens as a result of Saturn’s axis, very like Earth’s, is tilted relative to its orbit, inflicting its rings — positioned instantly above the planet’s equator — to quickly tip out of our view from Earth when the southern hemisphere is pointed towards the solar, in response to Earth.com.
Fortunately, the rings will not be hidden for lengthy. After March 2025, the rings will come again into view briefly earlier than disappearing once more in November 2025. As Saturn continues its orbit, and its tilt shifts, the rings will steadily return to our view from Earth.
Climate allowing, the waxing crescent moon ought to provide darkish, clear skies for viewing Saturn throughout opposition this weekend. Whereas the planet might be seen to the bare eye, it’s going to seem solely as a star-like level of sunshine, and viewers will want a telescope to see the rings.
If you happen to’re in search of binoculars or a telescope to see Saturn, our guides for the finest binoculars and the finest telescopes have choices that may assist. Be sure you additionally take a look at our guides on tips on how to {photograph} the planets, the finest cameras for astrophotography and the finest lenses for astrophotography.
And do not miss our evening sky tonight web page and month-to-month skywatching calendar for extra celestial occasions to absorb!
Editor’s Be aware: If you happen to snap an excellent picture of Saturn and wish to share it with House.com’s readers, ship your picture(s), feedback, and your identify and site to spacephotos@house.com.
