This month’s unmissable celestial events begin with a total lunar eclipse on September 7, and September 21 will be the best day of the year to observe Saturn.
What is “Saturn’s Impulse?”
Sunday, September 21, is the best chance to observe Saturn in its “impulse. An impulse is the moment, which occurs once a year due to the Earth’s orbit, when a celestial body in the solar system is exactly opposite the Sun as seen from the Earth. At this time, Saturn is closest to the earth and appears brightest.
Saturn rises at sunset before and after its impulse, and at its position in the constellation Pisces, it emits a steady golden glow throughout the night that surpasses that of the surrounding stars.
How to enjoy Saturn’s impulse in Tokyo
If the sky is clear, Saturn can be observed with the naked eye from after sunset to midnight, but a telescope allows detailed observation of Saturn’s beautiful rings.
To enjoy Saturn’s impulse with certainty, we recommend the following locations where there is little light pollution and clear visibility.
- On top of a mountain away from the lights of the city, such as Mt. Takao or the Okutama area
- Large parks such asShowa Kinen Park andKasai Rinkai Park
- Places with low light and open views, such as observatories
The next time we will be able to observe Saturn’s impulse is on October 4, 2026. Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity!