STATEN ISLAND, NY – Skywatchers will enjoy a spectacular view on Monday night when Saturn is expected to be at its brightest.
According to Space.com, the ringed planet will reach the opposition on Monday night. The opposition is when the Earth passes between an outer planet and the sun, placing the planet opposite the sun in our sky. An opposing planet is also closer to Earth. It comes out when the sun goes down and can be seen all night.
This is also when its apparent size and brightness is maximum, offering performance throughout the night.
Seen only with the naked eye, Saturn now looks like a very bright yellow-white star that shines with a constant brightness, Space.com reports. But its ring system cannot be seen with the naked eye and requires a telescope.
Saturn will hit opposition Monday night among eastern Sagittarius stars: it will rise at dusk and remain visible throughout the night, according to Space.com. In opposition, Saturn will be located 836.6 million miles from Earth and will shine with its maximum brightness of magnitude 0.13.
A handful of Saturn’s moons are observable with a garden telescope.
WILL SATURN LOSE HIS RINGS?
New NASA research in 2018 found that Saturn may be losing its iconic rings faster than the agency expected. Scientists warn that the rings are less than 100 million years old because the rings are being pulled toward Saturn by gravity like a dusty shower of ice particles or “ring rain.”
This “ring rain” drains enough water from Saturn’s rings to fill an Olympic pool every half hour.
NASA is still trying to learn the origin of the planet’s rings, whether the planet was created with rings or developed them later in life.
New research suggests that Saturn obtained its rings later in life, because the rings are less than 100 million years old.
“We are fortunate to be nearby to see Saturn’s ring system, which appears to be in the middle of its lifespan,” O’Donoghue said in a press release. “However, if the rings are temporary, perhaps we miss the opportunity to see the giant ring systems of Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune, which today only have thin curls.”
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