Saturn at opposition: How to see the ringed planet at its biggest and brightest this week

The best time to view Saturn is rapidly approaching!

The best view of the ringed planet occurs when it enters opposition — in other words, when the Earth is directly between Saturn and the sun. This year, that's overnight between Sept. 7 and Sept. 8.

You do not want to miss this once-a-year opportunity to see Saturn at its biggest and brightest; after Sept. 8, 2024, you won't be able to see Saturn in opposition until Sept. 21, 2025. Here's everything you need to know to spot Saturn at its peak size and brightness.

How to view Saturn

Viewing Saturn with the naked eye isn't optimal because you won't be able to see its stunning rings. (Without gear, the planet looks like a very bright star). The best way to view Saturn is to use a backyard telescope, or a strong pair of stargazing binoculars, so you can see Saturn's rings in sharp relief.

Because Saturn is nearing opposition, it will be in the opposite part of the sky as the setting Sun. On Sept. 7 and 8, Saturn will appear in the constellation Aquarius. You can use sky charts that are updated daily to see Saturn's current position relative to Aquarius, or if you'd like a little more hands-on help with finding the ringed planet, you can use apps like Stellarium to easily locate Saturn or other celestial objects.

Related: The best meteor showers of 2024 are yet to come. Here are the key nights to watch for.

When to see Saturn

Saturn will rise between approximately 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time on Sept. 7 and will set between approximately 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. local time on Sept. 8. Saturn will reach its highest point in the sky around midnight local time on Sept. 8. (You can use this tool from the U.S. Navy to check precise rise and set times in your exact location).