Saturn comes closest to Earth this week: Here is the best time, date and direction to see the ringed planet without a telescope, plus what else to expect in the night sky

Stargazers definitely have something to gaze at this time of year since Saturn will be in opposition on October 4, 2026, which means this planet will be in one of the best possible positions to observe in the whole year. When a planet is in opposition, Earth finds itself located between this planet and the Sun, thus creating an opposition condition when the planet is visible in the sky almost all night long, according to Live Science .

It will rise in the evening, transit around midnight and stay above the horizon until the morning. It is also convenient for casual stargazers since Saturn does not need a telescope to be observed.