Saturn at opposition – and brightest – on August 26-27

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20 Aug 2023
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Saturn is one of the most fascinating and beautiful planets in our solar system. It is famous for its stunning rings, which are made of countless chunks of ice and rock. But did you know that Saturn also has 82 moons, a hexagonal storm at its north pole, and a day that lasts only 10.7 hours?

If you want to see Saturn for yourself, you are in luck. The ringed planet will reach its opposition on August 26-27, 2023. This means that Earth will be directly between Saturn and the sun, making Saturn appear at its biggest, brightest, and best for the year. In this article, we will explain what opposition means, how to find Saturn in the night sky, and what you can expect to see with or without a telescope.



What is Opposition?

Opposition is a term that astronomers use to describe the position of a planet when it is opposite the sun in the sky. This happens once every year for the outer planets (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) because Earth orbits faster than them and overtakes them from time to time.

When a planet is in opposition, it has some advantages for observers on Earth:

  • It is closest to Earth, so it looks larger and brighter than usual.
  • It is visible all night long, rising at sunset and setting at sunrise.
  • It is fully illuminated by the sun, so it shows its full disk and features.

Saturn’s opposition in 2023 will occur on August 27 at 8:00 UTC (3 a.m. CDT). However, you don’t have to wait until that exact moment to enjoy the view. Saturn will be well placed for observation for several weeks before and after the opposition date.


How to find Saturn in the night sky

Saturn is easy to spot in the night sky, even without a telescope. It shines with a steady golden light that stands out from the twinkling stars. You can use a star chart or an app to help you locate it, or you can follow these simple steps:

  • Look for the bright star Fomalhaut in the southeast after sunset. It is part of the constellation Piscis Austrinus, the Southern Fish.
  • Trace a line from Fomalhaut to the left (east) until you reach a group of four stars that form a square. This is the asterism known as the Great Square of Pegasus.
  • Continue the line from the top right star of the square (Alpheratz) to the left (east) until you reach a fainter star called Deneb Kaitos. This is the tail of the Cetus, the Whale.
  • Just above Deneb Kaitos, you will see a bright yellowish star. This is not a star, but Saturn!


You can also use the moon as a guide on August 29 and 30, when it will be near Saturn in the sky. On August 29, the moon will be below and to the right of Saturn. On August 30, it will be above and to the left of Saturn. The moon will also be full on August 30-31, making it the second full moon of August 2023. This is called a blue moon, and it will also be a supermoon, meaning it will be slightly larger and brighter than usual.


What to see with or without a telescope

Saturn is a stunning sight even with just your eyes. You can admire its golden glow and compare it with other stars and planets in the sky. You can also try to notice its shape: Saturn is not perfectly round, but slightly flattened at the poles due to its fast rotation.

If you have binoculars or a small telescope, you can try to see Saturn’s rings. You will need at least 25x magnification to resolve them as a thin line around the planet. The rings are tilted at about 18 degrees to our line of sight in 2023, which means they are moderately open and visible. You may also see some gaps or divisions in the rings, such as the Cassini Division, which separates the two brightest rings (A and B).

If you have a larger telescope (8 inches or more), you can try to see some details on Saturn’s disk, such as cloud bands or storms. You may also see some of Saturn’s moons, especially Titan, which is the largest and brightest one. Titan orbits Saturn every 16 days and appears as a star-like point of light near the planet. You may also spot some of the other major moons, such as Rhea, Dione, Tethys, Enceladus, Iapetus, or Mimas.

Saturn is a wonderful planet to observe and learn about. It is a complex and dynamic world that has many secrets and surprises. By watching Saturn at opposition, you can appreciate its beauty and wonder, and connect with the cosmos.

😒Do you have any questions or comments about Saturn or its opposition? Share them with me in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you! 💬👇


I hope you like this article, and learn something new. If you have any question or comments, please feel free to share them with me. I would love to hear from you. And if you want to learn more exoplanets, astronomy, A.I and other science topics, please check out our other articles and resources.

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📚 Sources:


  • (1) When To See Saturn At Its Biggest, Brightest And Best This Week - Forbes | Forbes.
  • (2) See Saturn’s Rings Illuminated by the Sun When the Planet Reaches Opposition | MSN.
  • (3) Spy Saturn at opposition: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher | Astronomy.com.
  • (4) Saturn’s opposition in 2023: Fun and easy things to see - EarthSky | EarthSky.
  • (5) Saturn Facts - Interesting Facts about Planet Saturn | Space-Facts.
  • (6) Overview | Saturn – NASA Solar System Exploration | NASA Solar System Exploration.
  • (7) Saturn - Wikipedia | Wikipedia.


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