Saturn is at its finest in September 2025. Here is the way to see it, and catch its assembly with the Moon

Saturn reaches opposition on 21 September 2025, rising to a peak altitude of 34° as seen from the centre of the UK.

The planet is inside Pisces, shining away with a barely off-white hue at magazine. +0.2 throughout opposition.

On 8 September, it may be seen near a 98%-lit waning gibbous Moon shortly after each objects rise and the sky darkens, at round 21:00 BST (20:00 UT).

Seeing Saturn’s rings

If you had an opportunity to catch a view of Saturn via a telescope in August month, you’d have seen the rings have been slim however apparent.

At the beginning of August, the planet’s southern pole was tilted in direction of Earth by 3.4°, so that they appeared like a skinny elliptical band across the centre of the globe.

However, by 1 September, the lean angle can have decreased to 2.5° and the rings can be noticeably tougher to see once more.

Saturn underwent a hoop airplane crossing again in March 2025, however on the time it was poorly positioned for remark.

The subsequent isn’t due till 2038, however between 11 November and eight December this 12 months, Saturn will seem to wobble to a really slim tilt angle of simply 0.4°.

Although not a real ring airplane crossing, that’s slim sufficient to resemble a crossing via smaller scopes.

Observing highlights in September

On 21 September, when Saturn reaches opposition, the lean angle can be 1.8°. Such a slim tilt continues to supply alternatives to see Titan and its shadow cross the planet’s globe.

At the top of September, Saturn stays at magazine. +0.2 and, because of a gradual westward drift, can have wandered throughout the border of Pisces again into neighbouring Aquarius.

Currently, Saturn and Neptune stay shut to 1 one other within the sky, mendacity 2.6° aside on opposition evening, with Neptune situated northeast of Saturn.

Saturn, September 2025 fast information

• Best time to see: 21 September, 01:00 BST (00:00 UT)
• Altitude: 35°
• Location: Pisces
• Direction: South
• Features: Rings, delicate atmospheric options, moons
• Recommended gear: 150mm or bigger

Share your Saturn observations and pictures with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com.

This information appeared within the September 2025 situation of BBC Sky at Night Magazine