Saturn Will Be Pretty Close To New York This Weekend

If you're looking for something interesting to do this weekend, there are tons of great events that are happening all over the Empire State. Summer in New York is nearing its end, which is actually a good thing because there are many more things available to partake in.

The Great New York State Fair is underway in Syracuse and there are tons of great concerts scheduled that you may want to put on your to-do list. In addition to that, the Buffalo Bills are back for another year of great New York football, along with the Buffalo Bisons season continuing until at least the middle of September.

All of that means there are several great things that can go on your end-of-summer bucket list, including the Buffalo Funk Fest. However, if you're looking for something a little different to do this weekend, you'll have the opportunity to see something that doesn't happen all that often.

Saturn Will Be In Opposition This Weekend

The 2nd largest planet in our solar system will be very close to Earth this weekend. In fact, the 6th planet in our solar system is normally around 886 million miles away (about 80 light-minutes), and is going to be the closest it ever gets at around 818 million miles away (about 73 light-minutes) when it goes into opposition.

According to NASA, when Saturn is in Opposition:

Saturn will be located directly opposite of the Sun – at opposition – on August 26-27, 2023, as the Earth orbits between the two. From our vantage point, the Sun’s illumination will allow Saturn to appear bigger and brighter in the sky in the weeks leading up to and after the opposition.
-NASA

Whether you have a pair of binoculars, or a telescope, or not, you will have a pretty good view of Saturn from New York this weekend.

Starting Saturday night and going into Sunday morning, if you take a look at the southwestern sky starting around 9 pm you should have a nice clear view of Saturn. It should reach its highest point around 1 a.m. and will be very visible until sunrise Sunday morning.

I'm a wanna-be stargazer so I am excited about the weekend.