This June 3rd, the ringed planet Saturn will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This happens because when Saturn lies opposite the Sun in the sky, the solar system is lined up so that Saturn, the Earth and the Sun form a straight line with the Earth in the middle, on the same side of the Sun as Saturn.
From Baton Rouge, it will be visible between 8:50pm and 5:10am, placed for observation in the constellation Ophiuchus. It will be visible for much of the night, reaching its highest point in the sky at around midnight local time.
It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons. A medium-sized or larger telescope will allow you to see Saturn’s rings and a few of its brightest moons.
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