Exact time to see Saturn at its biggest and brightest TONIGHT with no equipment in special once-a-year spectacle
SKYGAZERS are in for an out of space treat tonight as Saturn will appear bigger and brighter than usual.
And if you look up at the right time you should be able to see the solar system’s second largest planet with the naked eye too.
This spectacle only happens once a year, so prepare now or face waiting until 2025.
Though next year there is another exciting view to watch out for where Saturn is concerned.
On March 23, 2025, Saturn’s distinctive rings are set to disappear.
Those rings are composed of billions of dust, ice, and rock fragments.
Due to the angle we see it and the planet’s tilt, the rings will merely seem invisible creating something of an optical illusion.
But until then, this weekend sees a massive bright Saturn in the sky.
It’s due to an annual occurrence known as opposition, a process where Earth ends up directly between the Sun and another planet.
As a result, Saturn will be easily visible throughout September.
But the best time to see it is in the early hours of Sunday (September 8).
According to BBC Sky At Night magazine, look out at 01:15 BST.
If you’re in the US, it’ll reach opposition at 12:27 a.m. EDT.
If you want to pinpoint Saturn’s exact position, you can use amateur stargazing apps like Night Sky or Stellarium, which show constellations in respect to your position.
For the best chance of seeing the gas giant clearly, ensure you’re in a high dark spot away from bright lights from towns and cities.
Mark your calendar for Saturn's ring disapperance
Saturn’s iconic rings are set to disappear next year – but fear not, nothing is wrong.
They will actually just appear invisible due to the angle we see them from and the planet’s axis.
At the moment, we’re expecting the strange phenomenon to happen on March 23, 2025.
They will eventually reappear sometime in November 2025.
It will also depend on the weather in your area too, so be sure to check the local forecast before.
While you will be able to make out the planet itself, you will need a telescope to see Saturn’s rings.
Those who do miss this opportunity with Saturn, fear not as other planets go into opposition over the next few months.
Neptune is on September 21, Uranus on November 17 and Jupiter on December 7.
Facts about Saturn
Saturn may be known for its iconic rings but it’s also home to an abundance of Moons.
To be exact, there are 146 Moons orbiting it.
Saturn is the sixth planet in our solar system and the second biggest.
The planet also has the second-shortest day in the solar system, with one day only lasting 10.7 hours.
It takes about 29.4 Earth years (10,756 Earth days) for Saturn to make a complete orbit around the Sun.
As a gas giant, Saturn doesn’t have a proper surface like you would expect on Earth.
Instead, it’s mostly made up of swirling gases and liquids deeper down.
The pressure and temperatures are also extreme, making it impossible for a spaceship to go there without being vaporised.