Saturn Opposes Sun 2024 SEP 07-08

[CentaurZ]

Ringed Saturn currently rises shortly after sunset and achieves opposition from the Sun during the night of 2024 SEP 07-08, when it is out all night at stellar magnitude +0.6. Its rings will appear tilted at +3.7° and headed toward 0° on 2025 MAR 23.

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.

My Saturn data and graphics can be found at: https://www.CurtRenz.com/saturn.html

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

Edited August 30 by CentaurZ