| Saturn is retrograding in western Aquarius, having just passed south of σ Aquarii on July 31. It will arrive at opposition on August 26, half way between σ and 42 Aquarii. On this night, however, Saturn is magnitude +0.50, dimmer than average for being so close to opposition because the rings are narrowing, with an equatorial diameter of 18.8" across. Saturn's position now mirrors that of 1994 when it was last in this part of the sky. |