Occultation of Saturn, Sunday-Monday, 8-9 September 2019.

On the late evening of Sunday 8 September to early morning 9 September Saturn is occulted by the waxing Moon as seen from northern Australia north of of a line from Perth to north of Rockhampton.

The Moon, above the western horizon, is a very obvious signpost for where to look. From most locations the occultation starts around midnight, with central and eastern locations occurring on the morning of the 9th, and western on the late evening of the 8th.

Saturn may be hard to spot visually against the glare of the Moon but is readily visible in telescopes and binoculars. In some locations titan is occulted as well (Alice Springs 00:09, Broome 22:32, Cairns, 00:53, Darwin 00:05, Perth 22:03, Townsville 00:57). Start watching about half an hour beforehand to get set up and familiar with the sky.

Saturn will disappear behind the dark limb of the Moon at a reasonable height for telescopic observation. Reappearance will be hard to see as you have to be looking just at the right moment.

The Moon at 00:21 am ACST in Adelaide (about 45 minutes after sunset) on Monday 9 September as Saturn is closest to the Moon. (click to embiggen).

In the rest of Australia the Moon and Saturn will be very close. In southern Australia the Moon and Saturn will be visible together in telescopic eyepieces. In Rockhampton Saturn will just miss the Moon.

Start watching about half an hour beforehand to get set up and familiar with the sky. Saturn will disappear behind the dark limb of the Moon at a reasonable height for telescopic observation.

Reappearance will be harder to see as you have to be looking just at the right moment.