SATURN
Saturn Declination -
A plotting of the declinations of the planet at oppositions from 2004 to 2032
2013 APPARITION OF SATURN
Generally since the Earth passed through Saturn’s ring plane in 2009, the tilt and view of the rings have been improving. However, Saturn’s declination has been dipping into the southern celestial hemisphere where it will remain until 2026.
Saturn appeared to pass in conjunction behind the Sun on 2012 OCT 25. It reached western quadrature (90° from Sun) on 2013 JAN 30. Apparent retrograde motion commenced on FEB 19.
Saturn’s greatest brilliance for this apparition at magnitude +0.1 is expected around 2013 APR 20. Opposition from the Sun will occur on APR 28 when it is also expected to make its closest approach to Earth for this apparition at 8.8162 AU with an equatorial angular diameter of 18.8 arcseconds. On that date the tilt of Saturn’s rings will be +18.1°, implying that its north pole is tipping toward Earth.
Apparent direct motion for Saturn will resume on 2013 JUL 09 and eastern quadrature will be reached on JUL 28. Saturn will eventually move to conjunction behind the Sun on NOV 06.
Saturn will appear in conjunction with Venus on 2013 SEP 18. It will appear in conjunction with Mercury on 2013 OCT 08.
The Moon will appear to pass near Saturn on 2013 APR 26, MAY 23, JUN 19, JUL 16, AUG 13, SEP 09 & OCT 07.
NOTE: Events in this article are geocentric in Universal Time unless otherwise noted.
* A meridian transit occurs when a celestial body crosses an observer’s local north-
© Curt Renz
