Editor’s note: Aug 16 update: Due to bad weather, the Saturn opposition webcast from The Virtual Telescope Project has been rescheduled for Tuesday (August 16) at 6:30 PM EST (2230 GMT).
The ringed planet Saturn is often hailed as the jewel of the solar system and you have a chance to find out why in tonight’s free webcast.
Saturn, which has the most dazzling ring of all the planets in the Solar System, reaches a point in its orbit called Opposition Tonight (August 16) which marks the closest and brightest appearance in the night sky this year. To celebrate, the Virtual Telescope Online Project will broadcast live views of Saturn from a telescope in Ceccano, Italy. Weather permitting, the webcast will start at 6:30 PM EST (2230 GMT). It will appear on this page at start time, but you can also watch directly on the Virtual Telescope Project website (Opens in a new tab)very.
“Like the moon’s cycle as it progresses, Saturn and the background of the stars will appear to turn west each evening as the Earth moves around the sun,” NASA wrote. (Opens in a new tab) In the August Sky Watch Guide. “Saturn will be at its closest and brightest for the year on August 14, rising near sunset and setting off sunrise.”
Related: Brightest planets in the sky of August 2022
When Saturn is opposite, it is at a point in its orbit on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. It is also at its closest point of the year, which in 2022 is about 823 million miles (1.32 billion km).
According to Space.com’s Sky Watch columnist Joe Rao, Saturn currently shines at +0.3 magnitude, slightly brighter than Procyon, the eighth-brightest star in the night sky. The planet is visible in the southeast sky.
Saturn isn’t the only planet you can see in the night sky. Jupiter and the Moon will also put on a show, NASA said.
“From Sunday night to Monday morning, August 14-15, 2022, Jupiter will appear to the left of the waning, adorable Moon. The pair will rise above the eastern horizon at 9:58 p.m. EDT with Jupiter about 6 degrees to the left. Moon” NASA wrote in its guide. (Your closed fist extended at an arm’s length covers about 10 degrees of the sky.)
And NASA added: “The moon will reach its highest levels in the sky on Monday night at 4:02 am with Jupiter about 4 degrees above the moon, and the morning twilight will begin a little more than an hour later at 5:19 am.”
Are you looking for a telescope or binoculars file to observe Saturn, Jupiter or the Moon? Our guides to the best binoculars deals and the best telescope deals are now a great place to start. Our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can also help you find equipment to capture your next sky observation scene like a pro.
Editor’s note: If you’ve taken an amazing photo of Saturn or any other night sky view and want to share it with Space.com for a story or photo gallery, send photos, comments, and location information to [email protected].
Email Tariq Malik on [email protected] (Opens in a new tab) or follow him Tweet embed (Opens in a new tab)(Opens in a new tab). Follow us Tweet embed (Opens in a new tab)And FaceBook (Opens in a new tab) And Instagram (Opens in a new tab).