If conditions in your area allow over the next couple of nights, plan on getting outside with your gear to take a peek at our ringed celestial neighbor.

Image Credit: NASA, ESA and E. Karkoschka (University of Arizona)

From NASA’s Saturn Observation Campaign:

January through June 2006 are the best months to view Saturn this year. In June, Saturn will dip lower in the sky, and by early August it is lost in the glare of the setting sun. The Earth and Sun passed through Saturn’s ring plane in 1995 and 1996, providing a nearly edge-on view of the rings. The ring tilt has increased (opened wider) year by year to a maximum tilt of 27 degrees in early 2003. The tilt of the rings has been decreasing since 2003, but still offer a splendid view this year. The ring tilt decreases (closes slightly) each year until 2009, when we’ll again see an edge-on, or nearly invisible view of the rings.

Saturn reaches opposition on Jan. 27, 2006. An object is at opposition when the Sun is on one side of the Earth and an object is directly on the opposite side. The result is that the object is fully illuminated by the Sun and appears disk-like. We see a great example of an opposition every month. Whenever there is a full Moon, the Moon is on one side of the Earth and the Sun is on the opposite side.

What will Saturn look like? It depends. You may be able to see the planet and rings clearly, depending on such variables as the power and cleanliness of your optics and eyepieces. Your own weather and atmospheric conditions affect the view through your telescope, too. If you are observing Saturn at low power through a small 60mm - 100mm aperture telescope it will look like a golden oval and you may not see the rings distinctly. Some small aperture telescopes will show the moon Titan, the rings and Cassini Division, the large gap between the rings of Saturn, while others will not. Larger telescopes will reveal not only the gold and brown cloud bands (bright zones and darker belts) on the planet but also the Cassini Division between the rings. Through a large telescope, you should also be able to see several of Saturn’s other moons, too. It is important to view Saturn when it is highest in the sky so there will be less atmospheric dust and turbulence between you and your target.

Saturn rises in the east-northeast after sunset this month, but wait a few hours and you’ll be rewarded with better views through the telescope. At dawn this month, you’ll find Saturn 25 degrees above the western horizon. You’ll easily spot the pale golden planet during the early evening hours, weather permitting. The south side of the rings face Earth. The ring tilt increases from 18 degrees in January to 20 degrees in April and then the tilt narrows to 12 degrees by December.

Close-up of Saturn and moons via Starry Night Pro.

Click here for a view of Saturn’s position (from my location) Jan. 27th, crossing the zenith. Hey, it’s only 8.13 AU away!
This opposition should make for particularly good viewing. Not only will Saturn be keeping company with M44 (the Beehive), but there’s no Moon to contend with. Now if only my weather will cooperate for a couple of days… judging by the forecast I won’t get much of a chance until Sunday.