Close to the autumn equinox, Saturn will be at its closest position to Earth – so it will appear at its brightest.
The ringed planet will be visible in the night sky all this month, reaching its brightest on 21 September, when the Earth will sit directly between Saturn and the Sun. If you're in a Dark Sky Discovery Site away from light pollution, you should be able to view it with the naked eye.
- Meteor shower guide: why do meteor showers occur and when is the next meteor shower in the UK?
- Where are the best places to see the Northern Lights in the UK?
What is Saturn opposition?
Saturn takes nearly 30 Earth years to orbit the Sun, while Earth takes just over one year to do so. That means the brightness of Saturn will depend on where it is in its longer-term orbit, with oppositions closer to the Sun being the brightest of all.
Once a year, Saturn reaches opposition: the moment at which Earth passes directly between Saturn and the Sun. This is the point at which Saturn is closest to Earth, and is visible all night (depending on the weather conditions).
When do Saturn oppositions take place?
Saturn oppositions usually happen about once a year – but not on the same date each time.
The date shifts slightly each year as Earth and Saturn move at different speeds along their orbits. Saturn’s opposition occurs every 378 days or so – just over a year.
When are the next Saturn oppositions?
2025: 21 September
2026: 4 October
2027: 16 October
2028: 28 October
2029: 9 November
2030: 21 November
2031: 3 December
2032: 15 December
2033: 27 December
2034: 8 January
More astronomy stories
- You don’t need a telescope to see into space and marvel at starry wonders. Here are 6 naked-eye night sky sights to look out for
- Full moons this year: your month by month guide
- When are this year's supermoons and why do they happen?
Top image: Milky Way with Saturn and Jupiter visible (credit: Getty Images)
