Saturn Moon Close Approaches 2024–25

Rare Black Moon concludes 2024

One of the simplest ways to notice a planet is when it appears next to the Moon in the night sky. And for the next four months, we will be in for a—repeating—treat.

As the Moon makes its monthly orbits around Earth, it will sweep by Saturn’s position around October 14, November 10, December 8, 2024, and January 4, 2025.

From some parts of the world, the Moon will appear to pass in front of the ringed planet, creating a lunar occultation of Saturn. An occultation is when one planetary body passes in front of another, covering it partially or wholly—similar to a solar eclipse.

See the planets and the Moon in the night sky

October 14–15: Gibbous Moon and Comet

On October 14 and 15, look out for Saturn close to the Waxing Gibbous Moon. The Moon and Saturn will pretty much rise and set together on these nights, so the pair will be easy to spot.

Like Jupiter and Venus, Saturn is one of the easiest objects to spot in the night sky with the naked eye, and you don’t need any extra equipment to see the ringed planet.

However, while you are out stargazing, bring a pair of binoculars and look for the Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS on the western horizon just after Sunset.

Shows the Moon’s Orbit

The Moon’s motion around Earth can be revealed by comparing views from one night to the next. If we look at the Moon’s position on successive nights, as it moves past Saturn in its orbit, we can see how it steadily moves eastwards against the background of the stars.

The Moon’s orbit around Earth should not be confused with the easily noticeable Moonrise and Moonset, which is caused by Earth’s rotation.

Conjunction, Appulse, or Close Approach?

A close approach—also known as an appulse—is when celestial bodies appear close to each other in the sky. Because the solar system is the shape of a thin disk, Earth, the Moon, and the planets orbit the Sun in roughly the same plane. Sometimes objects appear close from our perspective, even though they are far away from each other.

Although the term conjunction is often used to refer to close groupings of celestial bodies, the technical definition refers to the exact moment two astronomical objects share the same right ascension (part of a coordinate system used by astronomers).

Different Views Around the Globe

The Moon’s orientation and the distance between it and Saturn will vary slightly depending on where you are looking from on the globe.

This is because, although all observers will see the Moon and Saturn in the evening, 8 pm in New York comes around 16 hours after 8 pm in Sydney (depending on DST). During this time, the Moon has traveled a little bit further in its orbit around Earth.

Your view also depends on whether you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. The orientation of the Moon and Saturn varies according to your latitude.

So, what will it look like from my location? Search for the Moon in our Night Sky Map, and use the slider and the calendar to find the best time to see the Moon and Saturn meet in the sky.

November 10–11: Just After First Quarter

Saturn will be very close to the Moon just after First Quarter on November 10 to 11, depending on your location.

If you’re out at the latter end of that period, you might want to get a pair of binoculars out to look at the Moon’s terminator—the line separating the dark and the lit-up side of the Moon.

Around two days after First Quarter, a curved “handle” may appear on the terminator. Known as the Golden Handle, it comes from sunlight creeping across the Moon, lighting up the peaks and valleys of the Moon’s surface.

December 7: Half Moon Magic

On December 7, Saturn appears close to the Half Moon. Around this time, the Moon has moved one-quarter in its orbit around Earth.

Saturn is one of the planets farthest away from Earth that can be seen with the naked eye, but you’ll need a small telescope to see the planet’s rings.

January 4: Look out for Venus

On January 4, Saturn pairs up with the Waxing Crescent Moon. This is an early evening affair because the Moon and Saturn will set an hour or so after Sunset.

And, as an added bonus, you can also find Venus setting close to the horizon. Make sure you’re out at the right time because Venus sets before Saturn and the Moon.

The Moon: Our natural satellite