Saturn’s opposition is tonight

Use Star Walk 2 on iOS or Android to find Saturn in the night sky.

Tonight — May 22, 2015 — the ringed planet Saturn reaches opposition, a big milestone for our year of observing the ringed planet! Earth passes in between Saturn and the sun on May 23 at 0200 Universal Time. For the Americas, that places Saturn’s opposition on May 22 in the evening (9 p.m. CDT).

So this is Saturn’s special day, its yearly opposition, when it is opposite the sun as seen from Earth. In other words, Saturn is opposite the sun in Earth’s sky. As a consequence, Saturn rises in the east at sunset, climbs highest up for the night at midnight and sets in the west at sunrise. It is visible all night, closest and brightest for this year. Just don’t assume this is a one-night-only event. In fact, Saturn’s opposition guarantees the ringed planet will be in good view throughout May and June 2015. Moreover, Saturn will remain a fixture of the evening sky until September or October 2015. All the while, golden Saturn shines in close vicinity of ruddy Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion.

Source: EarthSky