Saturn Rings Disappear in Cosmic Illusion This Weekend. While the planet’s rings remain intact, a rare event called a ring plane crossing will create the illusion that they have disappeared when viewed from Earth.
Why Do Saturn’s Rings Disappear?
The unusual tilt of Saturn’s axis is the source of the phenomena. Comparable to Earth’s 23.5 degree inclination, Saturn’s orbit around the sun is 26.73 degrees inclined. The rings may seem edge-on at times because to the exact alignment of the angles of the sun, Saturn, and Earth.
According to NASA, the rings, though massive, are extremely thin — only about 30 feet thick in most areas. When they tilt perfectly edge-on, they can seem to vanish from our viewpoint.
When Will It Happen?
- Date: The effect will peak on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
- Duration: Until the rings begin to reappear, the illusion will persist for one to two days.
- Visibility: Unfortunately, skywatchers will not be able to see the show up close this weekend due to Saturn’s proximity to the sun.
On November 23, 2025, however, Saturn’s rings will once more appear almost edge-on, providing another chance.
What Makes It Special?
Ring plane crossings occur only about twice every 29.4 years — Saturn’s orbital period. The next complete visible crossing won’t occur until 2038.
During these crossings, the lack of reflected light from the rings also makes Saturn’s moons more visible. Amateur astronomers using a backyard telescope may spot up to a dozen moons during this rare event.
Looking Ahead
While this weekend’s crossing won’t be visible, mark your calendar for the partial event in November 2025. It will be a prime opportunity for stargazers to witness Saturn’s cosmic illusion.
Source: NBC News