Though Saturn isnot the only telephone planet , it boasts the most spectacular circlet of frappe and rock in our solar system . On August 26–27 , 2023 , you ’ll have a better view of them than usual when Saturn reaches confrontation . Here ’s what you need to know about the one-year event .
What is Saturn at Opposition?
Oppositiondescribes a planet ’s position in relation to thesunandEarth . When Saturn ordinate with these two body , with Earth in the middle and Saturn on the outer edge , it hit opposition . From our vantage point , we can watch the sun ’s spark fully illuminate Saturn ’s surface . Thesecond - heavy planetwill also appear on the paired side of the night sky : as the sun sets in the west , Saturn will be seeable in the Orient .
Jupiter , Saturn , Uranus , andNeptune — the solar system’sgas giantsand ice giants [ PDF ] , respectively — reach opposition roughly once per Earth year . BecauseMarsand Earth are closer together in their orbits , Mars reaches foeman about once every 27 months . VenusandMercurycannot reach opposition because their orbits are always between Earth and the sun .
How to See Saturn at Opposition
Saturn will rise around sunset on August 26 , 2023 , and skid under the horizon by dawn on August 27 . It will reach opposition at 4 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time . A wax gibbousmoonmay contemplate some light into the Nox sky , but it wo n’t wash out the show .
When searching for Saturn , look for Aquarius . The planet will seem right away in front of the water - holder and willtravel through nearby Capricorn . Though you will be capable to see Saturn through a couplet of field glasses , you ’ll need abatic telescopeto detect the ring around the major planet . come to to a sky chart if you get lost .
Related Tags
