Attention skywatchers: Saturn in opposition tonight

WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- Tonight, Saturn will appear in the night sky just to the lower left of the moon.

Just a few days ago, Saturn was "in opposition," the closest it will be to Earth this year -- so it is still exceptionally visible. The moon, meanwhile, is only a day away from being full. If weather cooperates, sky gazers will be able to see the ringed planet and nearly full moon side by side.

The gap between Earth's path and that of Saturn -- the sixth planet from the sun and the second largest behind Jupiter -- is 830 million miles.

As it rises in the east-southeast alongside the moon tonight, it will be the brightest object in the sky. But unlike some of the sky's brightest stars, Saturn will not twinkle. Instead, the gas giant will give off a steady pale-yellow light.

Between dusk Tuesday and dawn Wednesday, Saturn and the moon will move closer together in the night sky -- before setting in the west-southwest. For viewers in New Zealand and Australia, the two objects will converge overnight, with the moon actually blocking the view of Saturn.