As night falls in August 26, 2023, look ahead to vivid golden Saturn simply above the southeastern horizon. Saturn’s opposition, once we fly between Saturn and the sun, is at 8 UTC on August 27 (3 a.m. CDT). So it’s in an exquisite place to see now, ascending within the east within the night, as seen from across the globe. Saturn at opposition is within the dim constellation Aquarius the Water Bearer. As well as, it’s close to the dim however fairly constellation Capricornus the Sea-goat. You possibly can see them crossing the sky all night time, touring alongside the ecliptic, the identical path the sun travels through the day. Additionally, the brilliant star Fomalhaut is close by. Chart by way of John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Saturn’s opposition in 2023 comes on August 26-27
As soon as every year, Earth passes between the sun and the sixth planet, Saturn. Our movement brings Saturn reverse the sun in our sky, to a spot referred to as opposition by astronomers. In 2023, Saturn’s opposition will come early on August 27.
Opposition marks the center of one of the best time of 12 months to see an outer planet. Through the weeks round its opposition, Saturn is usually at its closest to Earth and brightest for the 12 months. It’s a lovely and noticeable golden “star” in our night time sky. Plus, as a result of it’s reverse the sun, it’s up all night time!
Saturn’s opposition in 2023: no telescope wanted!
You want a telescope to see the rings of Saturn. However you’ll be able to benefit from the planet with the attention alone. Listed below are some enjoyable and straightforward observations you may make with simply your eyes, throughout Saturn’s opposition month in 2023.
On the night time of August 1, 2023, the total supermoon – the first of two in August – will glow close to Capricornus the Sea-goat. On the next night, the just about full moon will lie in jap Capricornus. The ringed planet Saturn will shine close by. You possibly can watch them transfer throughout the sky all night time. Chart by way of John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.On the mornings of August 3 and 4, 2023, the waning gibbous moon might be by Saturn. In truth, you’ll be able to catch the moon and Saturn the night time earlier than and watch them transfer throughout the sky till daybreak. Chart by way of John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.On the evenings of August 29 and 30, 2023, the brilliant moon will go Saturn. The moon might be full on the in a single day of August 30-31, making it the 2nd full moon of August 2023. In truth, it’s a month-to-month blue moon – the 2nd full moon in a month – and a supermoon. It’s the closest (biggest) full supermoon in 2023. It could not look greater to the attention, but it surely’ll positive look brighter! The constellation of Capricornus the Sea-goat is close by. Chart by way of John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
August nights: Saturn
Saturn will shine within the southeast after sundown in August. It’s close to the Water Jar asterism within the constellation Aquarius the Water Bearer. Saturn might be at its greatest from about mid-August to mid-September. It’ll rise shortly after sundown at first of August and earlier than sundown by month’s finish. Chart by way of John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
In August 2023, use Saturn to see the ‘arrowhead’ in Capricornus
On August evenings in 2023, Saturn is close to the faint constellation Capricornus the Sea-Goat. At its August 26-27 opposition, Saturn rises within the east at sundown and is seen all night time. You’ll discover Saturn rising simply after sundown, and in a darker sky. After which in case your sky is truly dark, you need to use Saturn to information your eye to the faint “arrowhead” form of Capricornus in our sky. Chart by way of John Jardine Goss / EarthSky.
Backside line: In August – the month of Saturn’s 2023 opposition – listed below are some enjoyable and straightforward issues you’ll be able to look ahead to with the attention alone. And also you don’t want a telescope!
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio collection in 1991 and based EarthSky.org in 1994. At the moment, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this web site. She has received a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, together with having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she was the Training Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the most important group {of professional} astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a power for good on the earth and a significant software for the twenty first century. “Being an EarthSky editor is like internet hosting an enormous world celebration for cool nature-lovers,” she says.
