Monday night, August 11, is a great time to spot Saturn, one of the most beautiful planets in our night sky. The moon will also be out, making it easier to find Saturn as it will sit just above the ringed planet.
To the casual observer, Saturn might not catch your eye right away. Unlike the bright Venus or the fiery Mars, it looks more like a yellowish-white star. At around 10:30 PM local time, if you look toward the eastern horizon, you might just catch it shining against the midsummer sky, unaware that it’s our solar system’s stunning ringed jewel.
With the moon nearby, locating Saturn becomes a breeze. The moon will be about 89% illuminated, just shy of full. This phase offers a better view of its rugged surface. You can see craters casting long shadows, which adds depth to its landscape.
Once you’ve admired the moon, turn your telescope toward Saturn. It will lie about five degrees below and to the left of the moon—approximately half an outstretched fist away. For a good view of Saturn’s rings, use a telescope with at least 30x magnification. To get the most out of your view without fuzzy images from atmospheric turbulence, keep magnification moderate. Here’s a quick guide:
- 3-inch scope: 75x
- 6-inch scope: 150x
- 10-inch scope: 250x
Even experienced skywatchers can’t help but be amazed by Saturn’s beauty.
For the best viewing, wait until around 12:30 AM, when Saturn climbs higher in the sky. This helps reduce atmospheric distortion, giving you a clearer view.
Here’s a surprising fact to share: despite how close they look, the moon and Saturn are actually far apart in space. The moon is about 230,000 miles from Earth, whereas Saturn is over 3,500 times farther away, at a whopping 816 million miles.
The excitement of stargazing has seen a recent surge on social media, with hashtags like #Skywatching trending as people share their experiences. According to a recent survey by the American Astronomical Society, about 60% of people say they’re more interested in astronomy than they were in the past, thanks to the proliferation of astronomy apps and online communities.
So, gather your friends and family, step outside, and enjoy this celestial spectacle. The universe is calling! For more information, check out NASA’s official site or the American Astronomical Society for additional skywatching tips.
