Witness Saturn's 2025 Opposition in Colorado

Get ready, Colorado! One of the most breathtaking events in the night sky is happening this year. On September 21, 2025, Saturn will reach opposition, the point in its orbit where it's closest to Earth. This means the ringed planet will be at its biggest, brightest, and most beautiful for the entire year. But 2025 offers a celestial view that we haven't seen in over a decade and won't see again until 2038: the rings will be almost perfectly edge-on from our perspective, making them seem to disappear!

The Case of the Disappearing Rings

Just like Earth, Saturn has seasons, but its year is much longer—about 29.5 Earth years. As it orbits the sun, our viewing angle of its magnificent rings changes. In 2025, Saturn is approaching its equinox. This means we'll see the rings, which are astonishingly thin (less than a kilometer thick), as a razor-thin line of light.

This rare alignment gives us a chance to experience the same confusion that baffled the great astronomer Galileo Galilei in the 1600s. When he first observed Saturn, he saw what he thought were two large moons on either side of the planet. When he looked again later, after Saturn had moved into its equinox, they were gone! Knowing the Greek myth of Saturn (Kronos) eating his children, Galileo jokingly wondered if the planet had devoured its own moons. We now know he was just seeing the rings edge-on. This September, you can relive that historic moment of discovery for yourself!

How to See Saturn at Opposition in Colorado

Seeing Saturn in 2025 is easy, and you won't want to miss it.

• When to Look: The night of Sunday, September 21st, 2025, is the peak of the opposition. Saturn will rise in the east around sunset and be visible all night long, reaching its highest point in the southern sky around midnight. The entire week surrounding this date offers fantastic viewing opportunities.

• How to Find It: You won't need a map to find Saturn. It will be the brightest "star" in the constellation Aquarius, shining with a steady, yellowish light that doesn't twinkle like distant stars.

• What to Expect: Through a good pair of binoculars or a small telescope, you'll be able to see the planet as a distinct orb with a thin line passing through it—the nearly invisible rings! You might also spot its largest moon, Titan, as a small point of light nearby. Seeing the planet without its famous, wide-open rings is a truly unique experience.

Join Us for a Ringside Seat! 🪐

Witnessing this event through a powerful telescope is an unforgettable "oh wow!" moment. At AstroTours.org, we're running special Saturn-viewing programs all week to celebrate.

To make sure you get the best view, we recommend booking your tour for Wednesday, September 17th. Why? Colorado's mountain weather can be unpredictable. Booking for the 17th gives you a perfect backup plan; if we get clouded out, you can easily join our tours on Thursday the 18th. We also have viewing programs available on Saturday the 20th and Wednesday the 24th.

Don't miss your chance to see Saturn like never before. Spaces fill up fast for events like this, so be sure to book your spot today!

Book your tour now at AstroTours.org/book!

Fun Facts About the Gas Giant

While you wait for the big night, here are a few amazing facts about our solar system's jeweled planet:

• It's a Lightweight Giant: Saturn is the second-largest planet but the least dense. It's the only planet in our solar system that would float in water (if you could find a bathtub big enough!).

• King of the Moons: Saturn has a staggering 146 confirmed moons, more than any other planet in our solar system.

• Wicked Winds: The winds in Saturn's upper atmosphere can reach speeds of up to 1,800 kilometers per hour (1,118 mph).

• A Familiar Name: Have you ever wondered where we get the name for the best day of the week? It comes from Saturn's Day... Saturday!

This year's opposition is a special one. Don't let it pass you by! Join us to marvel at the splendor of Saturn and its disappearing rings.