Saturn Opposes Sun 2022 AUG 14

[CentaurZ]

Ringed Saturn currently rises during the early evening as it approaches its opposition from the Sun on 2022 AUG 14, when it will be out all night at stellar magnitude +0.3. Its rings will appear tilted at +13.9°.

At the time of its opposition, Saturn’s brightness peaks abruptly, unlike the gentle brightness curve for other planets. This sharp “oppositional flash” is due to a lack of a visible shadow of its rings on the planet, and the lack of ring particle shadows visible on each other, as viewed from Earth.

Photos and descriptions of Saturn and its rings would be welcome additions to this thread.