On Monday night, you get a chance to see the ringed-planet Saturn, guaranteed. You don’t even have to look hard, or be confused by any of the stars in the southern sky. The brilliant full moon, Summer Moon, will show you where to look. The moon appears right underneath it.

 

The two are in Sagittarius, a southern-most zodiacal constellation. You’ll see the two rising in the east at about sunset. They’ll be visible throughout the night; at midnight due south and they’ll set together around sunrise.

 

Just after sunset wait a while to see Saturn. The glare of the brilliant full moon will be as usual impressive. Wait until the two are higher in the east. The much fainter Saturn is absolutely no match for the glare of the moon. But you’ll see Saturn right above the moon, a short distance away.

 

Saturn is closest to us, in opposition, on Monday, July 9. Right now the planet is 855 million miles away and getting closer.

By next month, Saturn will be 841 million miles away.