Stargazers around the world will need to make the most of Saturn’s iconic rings in the next 18 months, as they will effectively disappear from view for several years.
Saturn's rings, which are an iconic feature of the giant planet for stargazers
During an event known as an equinox, Saturn’s rings will align with the planet’s axis, causing them to appear as a thin, almost invisible line from Earth’s perspective. This phenomenon is expected to occur in early 2025 and last until the 2030s.
The disappearance of the rings is due to the unique tilt of Saturn’s axis of rotation. As the planet orbits the sun, its axis tilts relative to the sun, causing the rings to appear differently from Earth. During an equinox, the tilt of the axis causes the rings to be aligned edge-on, making them extremely difficult to see.
While the rings will be largely invisible, stargazers may still be able to spot some of Saturn’s 140 moons during this period. The reduced illumination of the rings is expected to make the moons more prominent in the sky.
The next time Saturn’s rings will be fully visible from Earth will be in the 2030s, when the planet’s axis will once again be tilted at an angle that allows for clear viewing.
