The best chance to see Saturn this year in SC, even with the naked eye, is coming up. What to know
The ringed giant Saturn will pass closest to Earth this year on Sunday, giving people the best chance to see it, even without a telescope.
The sixth planet in the solar system will arrive at opposition — when it reaches to opposite side of the sky from the sun, according to space.com. As such, the sun’s light will brightly illuminate Saturn’s surface, much like the sun’s light on a full moon. Combined with Saturn being its closest to Earth — 823 million miles away — this will provide an excellent opportunity to view the planet, as long as the sky isn’t too cloudy.
How to see Saturn
Saturn will reach its highest point in the southern sky around 1 a.m. on Sunday and will set as the sun rises. For those who know their constellations, at 1 a.m. Saturn will be located near Delta Capricorni in the constellation of Capricornus.
To the naked eye, Saturn will appear as a bright, yellow-ish star.
If you have a decent telescope though, you’ll get an excellent look at Saturn, given that its rings will appear tilted at 13.9 degrees, relative to Earth, according to inverse.com.
To see the rings, you will need either high-powered binoculars (mounted on a sturdy tripod) or a telescope magnifying at least 25-power.
Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, will also be visible with a telescope.
Fun facts about Saturn
- Saturn has 53 named moons and at least 30 more unnamed moons.
- Saturn’s moon Titan is larger than the planet Mercury and is the only moon in the solar system known to have a substantial atmosphere.
- Saturn orbits the Earth once every 29.4 years.
Other chances to see Saturn
If you miss seeing Saturn on Sunday, don’t sweat it too much. The gas giant will still be visible in the night sky through the end of the year.
