First a red blood moon, then meteor showers, and now a planet sighting? It would seem that we’re extra celestially blessed lately – but perhaps what many don’t know is that Saturn actually goes in opposition on an annual basis, and this year is no exception. During this time, the ringed planet appears at its biggest, brightest, and most visible when viewed from Earth, so you’ll be able to see it without any pro equipment. Here’s all you need to know about the upcoming Saturn Opposition.
What is the Saturn Opposition?
Simply put, Saturn in opposition is when there’s a perfect alignment of the sun, Earth, and Saturn – with Earth smack in the middle of the lot. When this happens, the sun shines directly onto the outer planet, and the light reflected makes it more visible. Refer to the diagram by NASA below for a better understanding of this positioning:
When is the Saturn Opposition best viewed in Singapore?
This year’s Saturn Opposition will occur on September 21, 2025, and according to the Science Centre Singapore, it’ll be best viewed from 8.30pm onwards.
What does Saturn in opposition look like?
With the naked eye, Saturn in opposition looks more like an extra brilliant star – just like how Venus appears to us in the night sky, near the moon, on a regular day. But if you happen to own a telescope, you could very well see the gas giant in all its ringed glory, just as how it’s depicted in cartoons and impressions. Fingers crossed for good weather and cloudless skies on that night.
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