Michigan to see additional brilliant Saturn this weekend. When to see the planet

Saturn could possibly be extra seen than typical this weekend for Michigan stargazers.

Saturn, the sixth planet from the solar within the photo voltaic system, can be in opposition Sunday, Sept. 21 — showing reverse Earth within the night time sky and offering prime views, based on EarthSky.

The phenomenon will happen throughout this month’s new moon, providing an opportunity for larger visibility below darkish skies.

To get a more in-depth have a look at Saturn,you may want a telescope and an space with darkish, open night time skies in Michigan this weekend. Keep an eye fixed on the climate forecast in your space, as clear skies can be important for finest viewing.

Here’s what to learn about viewing Saturn.

When will prime Saturn views start?

Saturn will come into ideal viewing positioin from Earth throughout an “opposition” Sept. 21, rising at sundown and remaining seen in a single day, based on EarthSky and the BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

What is an ‘opposition’?

When the Earth moves into position between Saturn and the solar Sept. 21, the solar can be on one aspect of Earth and Saturn will seem reverse within the night time sky, giving the celestial phenomenon its title opposition, EarthSky says. During the opposition, Saturn’s rings will seem the brightest and widest this yr, EarthSky mentioned.

What is Saturn?

Saturn is a ringed planet in our photo voltaic system, the sixth planet from the solar and second-largest within the photo voltaic system, NASA mentioned.

The planet is called for the Roman god of agriculture and wealth, who was additionally the daddy of Jupiter.

With an equatorial diameter of about 74,897 miles, Saturn is 9 instances wider than Earth. If Earth had been the scale of a nickel, Saturn could be about as large as a volleyball.

From a mean distance of 886 million miles, Saturn is 9.5 astronomical items away from the solar. One astronomical unit, is the gap from the solar to Earth. From this distance, it takes daylight 80 minutes to journey from the solar to Saturn.

As of June 8, 2023, Saturn has 146 moons in its orbit, with others regularly awaiting affirmation of their discovery and official naming by the International Astronomical Union.

What are Saturn’s rings product of?

Saturn’s rings are considered items of comets, asteroids, or shattered moons that broke up earlier than they reached the planet, torn aside by Saturn’s highly effective gravity. They are product of billions of small chunks of ice and rock coated with different supplies akin to mud.

The ring particles largely vary from tiny, dust-sized icy grains to chunks as large as a home. Just a few particles are as giant as mountains, NASA says.

Where are you able to go to get pleasure from Saturn views in Michigan?

Look for a transparent, open space to view Saturn in Michigan’s skies. Michigan is dwelling to 6 darkish sky state parks, three worldwide darkish sky parks and a world darkish sky sanctuary.

• The Alpena space has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson’s Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park.
• In Mackinaw City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road.
• In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St.
• In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
• In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123.
• In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road.
• In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Hwy.
• In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive.
• Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.Okay. Lawless Park in Cass County are worldwide spots. And, lastly, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is a world sanctuary.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.