This week belongs to Saturn. The ringed planet reaches opposition at the end of this week, placing it opposite the sun in Earth’s sky and making it brighter, closer and better placed for observing than at any other time in 2026 — and until its next opposition on Oct. 18, 2027. It’s also beginning to look much more like the Saturn everyone imagines, with its rings now opening up again, after appearing almost edge-on last year. Whether you observe it with your naked eye, binoculars or — best of all — any telescope, this is the week’s must-see celestial event. Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and the night sky from Monday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 4.

Wednesday, Sept. 30: Moon Meets The Pleiades The 76%-lit waning gibbous moon rises with the Pleiades (also called the Seven Sisters) in the constellation Taurus. The bright moonlight will make the star cluster harder to see than usual, but binoculars will help you get a beautiful view.

Saturday, Oct. 3: Last Quarter Moon The moon reaches its last quarter phase, rising around midnight tonight—and later each night—leaving the evening sky increasingly dark in the coming nights.

Sunday, Oct. 4: Saturn At Opposition With Earth situated between the sun and Saturn, the ringed planet rises at sunset, remains visible all night and sets at sunrise. At its brightest and closest of the year tonight, it’s easy to spot with the naked eye in the constellation Cetus, but if you’ve never looked at Saturn through a telescope before, make this the week you do.

The transition from summer to autumn is now unmistakable. The Summer Triangle still stands high overhead after dusk, but every evening the Great Square of Pegasus climbs a little higher in the east, followed by Andromeda, Pisces and Cassiopeia. The Milky Way is also changing with the season. The bright, star-cloud-rich center that’s dominated summer evenings is slipping into the southwest, while the fainter reaches running through Cassiopeia and Perseus are taking over overhead. Wrap up warmly, take a reclining chair outside and spend half an hour looking up — you’ll be surprised how rich the fall night sky is becoming.

Constellation of the Week: Cassiopeia

High in the northeast after darkness falls, Cassiopeia is instantly recognizable thanks to its distinctive “W” shape. In Greek mythology, she was a vain queen, but today she’s better known as one of the sky’s finest signposts. Follow the line of her five bright stars, and you’ll be guided toward some of the richest regions of the Milky Way, packed with star clusters that reward even a quick look through binoculars. As fall deepens, Cassiopeia climbs ever higher, becoming one of the season’s defining constellations. Get to know it now.

Stargazing Tip of the Week: Find A Public Telescope

Saturn is spectacular through almost any telescope, even a modest one. If you don’t own one, check whether a local astronomy club, observatory or science museum is holding a public observing session around opposition. Your first view of Saturn’s rings is one of those rare moments that almost every stargazer remembers for the rest of their life. You may never be the same again!

The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium . Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.