See the rings of Saturn at the beginning of its closest passage to the Earth



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The ringed planet will appear higher in the sky around midnight, but will be visible all night, setting west while the sun begins to rise in the east.

The rings of Saturn shine bright this month.

Starting on Tuesday, Saturn will be in opposition, which means she will rise against the sun in the earthly sky.

The opposition gives the Earth's inhabitants the best views of the gas giant and many of its moons, according to NASA.

The planet will be visible to the naked eye, but you will need a telescope to spot the iconic rings, according to EarthSky.org. When we pass between the sun and a planet outside our own orbit, the other planet "is usually the closest to Earth and the brightest of this year," notes EarthSky.

Meanwhile, Saturn, Earth and the sun will be in a straight line, with Earth in the center.

Saturn will be visible Tuesday in the southeast sky, according to EarthSky, and will be visible in the "teapot" of the Sagittarius constellation.

It will appear higher in the sky around midnight but will be visible all night, lying to the west while the sun begins to rise to the east.

The opposition of Saturn will give good prospects on the planet in July, August and September.

On July 15 and 16, according to NASA, a full moon "crashes around the ringed planet". Meanwhile, the inhabitants of South America will be able to see the moon pass directly in front of Saturn.

This exciting celestial event falls on the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission.

This content has been republished with CNN's permission.

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