The planet Saturn will be at opposition (directly opposite the Sun) at
about 4.55 pm GMT on Tuesday 9 July 2019. This means that it will both
be at its closest to the Earth this year, about 8.9 AU (8.9 times the
average distance between the Earth and the Sun, or about 1 331 000 000
km), and completely illuminated by the Sun. While it is not obvious to
the naked eye observer, the planets have phases just like those of the
Moon; being further from the Sun than the Earth, Saturn is 'full' when
directly opposite the Sun.
The relative positions of Earth, Saturn and the other planets on 9 July 2019. Accuweather.
While the relative positions of the planets have no direct influence on
life on Earth, the opposition of Saturn does present the best
opportunity for observations of the planet by Earth-based observers. On Tuesday 9 July 2019 Saturn will appear as a bright object in the
constellation of Sagittarius, rising at about 10.40 pm in the southeast in the
Northern Hemisphere and the northeast in the Southern Hemisphere. Seen
through a moderate sized telescope both the planet and its rings should
be visible, with the rings tilted at an angle of 24°.
See also...
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