Sunday, June 30, 2024

Saturn Stands Still (wee hours)

On Sunday, June 30, Saturn will cease its regular eastward motion through the distant stars of Aquarius and begin a retrograde loop that will last until mid-November. The apparent reversal in Saturn's motion is an effect of parallax produced when Earth, on a faster orbit, passes the Ringed Planet on the 'inside track'. You can observe the planet's motion by noting how Saturn's distance from the bright star Hydor (Lambda Aquarii) to its right varies over the coming weeks.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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