Saturn at Opposition

Saturn rules the summer sky, but on this night, the ringed planet truly takes center stage. When it reaches opposition (its closest approach to the Earth), Saturn will be bright and fully illuminated by the Sun. You may even notice that its rings look brighter than usual thanks to a phenomenon known as the Seeliger Effect. Take it all in! Saturn’s rings will be visible in even small aperture telescopes.

A medium-sized or larger telescope will allow you to see Saturn’s rings and a few of its brightest moons.