A Celestial Showdown: Saturn and Juno at a Standstill

Early risers, get ready for a cosmic delight! At 4 A.M. EDT, Saturn proudly holds its position among the twinkling stars of Pisces. Just two hours later, at 6 A.M. EDT, the asteroid 3 Juno reaches its own stationary phase, this time in the constellation Libra.

Where to Spot the Stars

In the morning sky, Saturn reigns supreme as the only visible planet, shining with a magnitude of 0.9 about 40° above the southeastern horizon, two hours before sunrise. It elegantly sits to the lower left of the Circlet in Pisces. If you have binoculars or a telescope handy, aim a degree north of Saturn to catch a glimpse of Neptune, which at magnitude 7.7 appears like a subtle, bluish star.

A Dynamic Dance in the Night Sky

As Saturn prepares to move retrograde, it will gradually pull away from Neptune, although they’ll remain nestled within a degree of each other for the remainder of the month. Through your telescope, the breathtaking rings of Saturn become visible, along with its mid-8th-magnitude moon, Titan, which is about 3’ to the east. Keep your eyes peeled, as Titan will venture closer to Saturn by week’s end, casting its shadow over the gas giant.

Evening Stargazing: Meet Juno!

For those stargazing in the evening, look for Juno, shining faintly at magnitude 11 in the northern reaches of Libra, right on the cusp of Serpens Caput. Once the sky fully darkens around 10:30 P.M. local time, Juno will be about 40° high in the southwest, positioned roughly 7.1° north of the bright star Beta Librae (Zubenesch). Juno is closely accompanied by two other field stars, making this a delightful area to explore.

Mark Your Calendars: Juno's Retrograde Ends

Today is significant because it marks the end of Juno's retrograde motion. From now on, it will slowly glide southeast, crossing into the realm of Serpens by the 23rd.

Timings to Remember!

- Sunrise: 5:44 A.M. - Sunset: 8:28 P.M. - Moonrise: 10:56 P.M. - Moonset: 9:38 A.M. - Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (84%)

Make sure to catch these spectacular sights in the sky and immerse yourself in the wonders of our universe!