Dated sky event Saturn opposition · 2026-10-04 UTC
Saturn at opposition on October 4, 2026
Predicted timing, distance, brightness and ring tilt for Saturn at opposition on October 4, 2026, with a chart of Saturn in the Beijing night sky and local observing times.
The page date uses UTC; the local calendar date may differ.
- Predicted opposition (UTC)
- Oct 4, 2026, 12:25
- Beijing time (UTC+8)
- Oct 4, 2026, 20:25
- Geocentric distance
- 8.434 AU
01 / This opposition
Saturn this year
This opposition is predicted for Oct 4, 2026, 12:25 (UTC), or Oct 4, 2026, 20:25 in Beijing (UTC+8). This is one geometric instant worldwide, when Saturn and the Sun differ by 180° in apparent geocentric ecliptic longitude; closest approach may occur at a slightly different time.
At this opposition Saturn is about 8.434 AU from Earth, with apparent magnitude 0.2 and a ring tilt of about 7.5°. A tilt near 0° presents the rings edge-on; appearance and observing conditions change at every opposition.
- Predicted opposition (UTC)
- Oct 4, 2026, 12:25
- Beijing time (UTC+8)
- Oct 4, 2026, 20:25
- Geocentric distance
- 8.434 AU
- Apparent magnitude
- 0.2
- Ring tilt
- 7.5°
Predictions use Astronomy Engine and times are shown to the minute. They may differ from high-precision almanacs by a few minutes; future UTC also depends on uncertain Earth-rotation predictions.
02 / Sky position chart
The Beijing night sky at 22:00 that evening
Predicted sky: October 4, 2026 at 22:00 (UTC+8), Beijing (39.9042° N, 116.4074° E, elevation 43 m).
Saturn is about 42.4° above the horizon at azimuth 134.6°, measured clockwise from true north.
The chart uses the observatory’s ephemeris, real star catalog and constellation figures. Body markers are enlarged; this is a prediction, not a photograph.
The chart chooses a night-time view on the event date rather than the exact opposition instant, which may fall in local daylight. Changing the place or time changes the sky positions.
03 / Observing times in Beijing
From evening to the next morning
These are Beijing times (UTC+8) for the night shown in the chart. Events after midnight carry the next day’s date. For another location, set your observer position in the observatory.
- Saturn rises
- Oct 4, 2026, 17:58
- Saturn crosses the meridian
- Oct 5, 2026, 00:06
- Saturn sets
- Oct 5, 2026, 06:15
- Choose a clear, dark period when Saturn is high. The weeks around opposition are good for observing too.
- Saturn is a bright point to the unaided eye. Use a small telescope for the rings, find it at low power, then increase magnification as atmospheric steadiness allows.
- The prediction does not model weather, buildings or light pollution. Faint planets marked on the chart may require optical aid.
04 / Sources