August has been an embarrassment of riches when it comes to astronomy events in Dubai. After the spectacular Perseids meteor showers and supermoon earlier this month, we have another celestial spectacle to look forward to – Saturn and its rings will be clearly visible from Earth this week.
The sixth planet from the sun, Saturn is quite a ways from Earth – 1.3095 billion km, to be precise. However, on August 27 the distance will be cut down to 1.2 billion kilometres, as the cosmic Lord of the Rings will be in opposition to Earth.
No, opposition doesn’t mean Saturn and Earth will be at loggerheads. In astronomy, opposition is a phenomenon where a planet and the sun are located on opposite sides of the Earth. On Sunday, Earth’s orbit will pass in between the sun and Saturn which will bring the ringed planet the nearest it will be to us all year long. As a result, Saturn and its rings will appear clearer than usual in the night skies.
You’ll still need a telescope to see the solar system’s second-largest planet and its rings of ice and rocks; even if the distance’s reduced, Saturn’s still light years away. The Dubai Astronomy Group comes to the rescue of amateur astronomers with a special Saturn sighting event on August 27 at Al Thuraya Astronomy Center, Mushrif Park.
Participants can observe Saturn and get their fill of its legendary seven rings and 29 moons through state-of-the-art telescopes during the session. Besides, a special lecture breaking down what an ‘opposition’ is and phone photography of Saturn through the telescopes are also included in the experience. You can register here for the event.
From 7:30pm onwards, tickets cost AED 50 per adult and AED 30 per child under 13 years of age.