This month's planets

Track down the ringed giant in the evening sky throughout the warmer months – you’ll be glad that you did

Planet of the month

Saturn is our Planet of the Month this issue, not because it’s particularly bright or well-placed, but because it’s in danger of being overlooked otherwise. The Ringed Planet will be visible in the southern part of the sky all through the long, light summer nights, but with much brighter and more obvious Jupiter as a close neighbour, Saturn risks being overshadowed. But even though it will be low in the sky this month, and less obvious than other planets, Saturn will still be an attractive target for summer stargazers.

At the start of our observing period Saturn will be rising before the Sun has even set, so it will be visible all through the night. As it is carried slowly from east to west by the Earth’s rotation the planet will remain low in the sky, tracing out a low arc across it.

At its highest it will only be 15 degrees or so above the horizon, which means you might struggle to see it if there are any hills, buildings or trees in that part of the sky at your observing site. But if you can see it, Saturn will look like a pale, golden-hued star less than 20 degrees to the right of much brighter, much bluer Jupiter.