Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter.It is a gas giant with an average radius of about nine times that of Earth. It only has one-eighth the average density of Earth; however, with its larger volume, Saturn is over 95 times more massive. Saturn will be so close to Earth this month that its rings will be visible through a normal telescope. The size of Earth's orbit is exaggerated for clarity. On Tuesday, the ringed planet will shine at its maximum brightness. Saturn reached its 2017 opposition on June 16.

Saturn and Earth are the closest to each other when they are on the same side of the Sun and at similar points in their orbits.

When Cassini took this image, the spacecraft was looking back at Saturn from a distance of about 2.2.million kilometers (about 1.3 … Saturn is … The are the most distant when on opposite sides of the Sun.

This remarkably sharp image of the ringed planet was taken only days before, on June 11, with a 1-meter telescope from the mountain top Pic du Midi observatory.

Although it might appear that Earth is located within Saturn’s outermost rings, that positioning is just an illusion created by the enormous distance between Cassini and Earth.

The best view of Saturn available to Earth dwellers in six years should be on Sunday (April 28), with the planet reaching its opposition point, when Earth lies directly between it and the sun.

When the sun sets, Saturn rises and it's up all night. Of course, opposition means opposite the Sun in Earth's sky and near opposition Saturn is up all night, at its closest and brightest for the year. Saturn at opposition is close to Earth (see the diagram below) and therefore bright. Below: Saturn is "at opposition" when it and the sun are on opposite sides of Earth.

Saturn near Earth