The ringed planet is at its closest to Earth for the entire year, and a marvelous sight through small telescopes.
The rings are experiencing the opposition effect. When Saturn is close to Earth, it is also directly opposite the sun. From our point of view on Earth, sunlight shines directly down on the rings. Ring particles hide their own shadows, producing a surge of reflected brightness.
This phenomenon will peak on opposition night, March 8.
The planet rises in the east at sunset and soars almost overhead at midnight. Look for the bright, golden "star" in the constellation Leo.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
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