Saturn will put on a show for professional and backyard astromers alike, and be the brightest and closest it has been to Earth all year.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, Saturn will be at opposition, meaning the Earth will align itself between the ringed planet and he sun, according to NASA.
In the morning sky, Venus and Jupiter will also be visible in the east, but Saturn will be “incredibly bright in the sky,” the agency stated in its video “What’s Up: September 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA.”
The planet will be so bright that stargazers will be able to see it with the naked eye, according to NASA.
Here’s what you need to know about the planet and how you can see it.
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When will Saturn be in opposition?
Saturn will be in opposition on Sunday, Sept. 21, according to NASA. This is when it will be at its biggest and brightest all year.
It will be visible throughout September.
What phase will the moon be in?
On Sunday, there will be a new moon. So, the moon’s light will not interfere with a stargazer’s ability to see the planet at night, according to NASA.
Saturn will be at its biggest and brightest this year on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Where will Saturn be located?
At night, Saturn will be located in the eastern sky in the evening, but it will move over to the western sky as it gets closer to the early morning.
Do you need any equipment to see Saturn?
No, you will not need any equipment to view the planet, according to NASA. It will be visible to the naked eye, but a small telescope could help stargazers get a better view.
While you don’t need equipment, use stargazing apps, like Stellarium or Sky Safari, to help you spot the planet in the night sky.
If you plan to stargaze in the outdoors, be sure to pack mosquito repellent and check the weather forecast ahead of time to ensure the skies are clear.
Saturn visible same day as partial solar eclipse
The eclipse, which will occur on Sunday, Sept. 21, will not be visible in the U.S., but it will be visible in Australia, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean, according to the agency.
This is the second eclipse to occur in September. The first was a total lunar eclipse that occurred from Sept. 7 to Sept. 8, but the lunar eclipse wasn’t visible in the U.S. either.
Fall equinox is the day after the partial solar eclipse
The fall equinox will occur on Monday, Sept. 22, according to NASA, the day after the solar eclipse is set to take place.
The equinox occurs twice a year, once in March and once in September, when the day and night are of equal length.
“The equinox marks the exact moment when the center of the Sun crosses the plane of our planet’s equator,” NASA stated on its website. “The day of an equinox, observers at the equator will see the Sun directly overhead at noon.”
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers all things Labubu and Pop Mart, scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to see Saturn at its closest viewpoint from Earth