TONIGHT: Saturn Opposition and a full moon
Stargazers will get quite a show Wednesday night as the planet Saturn and the full Strawberry Moon will rise in the southeastern sky shortly after sunset. The pair will traverse the sky together in close proximity putting on quite a show.
Tonight is also an event called "Saturn Opposition." This is when Saturn will be the brightest and largest during a calendar year.
Opposition occurs when the Earth sits right in the middle of the orbit of a planet and the sun. This allows the planet to rise during sunset, and set during sunrise, giving stargazers ample viewing through the entire night.
This event will be special as it will also occur during a full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, in June. The Farmer's Almanac gives it this name as the Native Americans would gather strawberries in June. The two celestial bodies will be close together the entire night.
Anyone will be able to view Saturn tonight. Its appearance will look like a bright star with a shade of yellow. Those with a good telescope will also get to see the rings and several moons of Saturn. Optimal viewing is after sunset, with the peak occurring near midnight.
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