NASA Cassini Solstice Mission: Viewing Saturn in 2012

Opposition: Saturn reaches opposition with the Sun on April 15, when it is visible all night long. An object is at opposition when the sun is on one side of Earth and the 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 Earth and the sun is on the opposite side.

Saturn Viewing Tips
This year begins with Saturn's rings tilted 15 degrees. Saturn's north pole is now tilted towards Earth.

Between January and April, the ring tilt narrows to 13.7 degrees because of the orbital position of Earth. Then from April until December 2012 the tilt increases to 19 degrees.

What will Saturn look like through a telescope? It depends. You may be able to see the planet and the narrowing rings clearly, depending on such variables as the power and cleanliness of your optics and eyepieces.

Weather and atmospheric conditions affect the view through your telescope, too. It is best to view Saturn when it is highest in the sky so there will be less atmospheric dust and turbulence between you and your target.