The golden planet Saturn will be visible to the left of the beautiful 27% illuminated, waning crescent moon on the morning of May 3, 2024.
Saturn’s appearance next to the moon on our sky’s dome on May 3, 2024, does not mean that they’ll get too close (in terms of their distances).
Currently, Saturn is 1.5 billion kilometers away from the earth, according to TheSkyLive, whereas the average distance of the moon from the earth is only 384,400 kilometers.
The close appearance of two celestial objects on our sky’s dome is called a conjunction. Here is the conjunction of the moon and Saturn.
When and where to watch the moon and Saturn
On May 3, 2024, the moon and Saturn will rise together around a couple of hours before sunrise. So look low in the eastern sky around an hour before sunrise to see the moon and golden Saturn. Saturn will be visible to the left of the waning crescent moon.
Not only that, Saturn will be visible low in the eastern sky preceding sunrise throughout the month of May 2024.
Related article: What planets are visible in the night sky in May 2024?
How to watch the moon and Saturn
Saturn is easily noticeable without an instrument like a pair of binoculars or a telescope. It will appear like a bright star near the moon to the naked eye.
However, you need a telescope to see Saturn’s disk, ring system, and moons.
How bright will be the moon compared to Saturn
On the morning of May 3, 2024, the moon will shine with a magnitude of -11.4 and Saturn with a magnitude of +1.2.
Please remember that the higher the number of magnitudes, the fainter the star, and we can see up to +6 magnitude stars or planets when the sky is dark and crystal clear.
Also magnitude 1 star is approximately 2.5 times brighter than a magnitude 2 star, and magnitude 1 star is approximately 2.5*2.5 = (2.5)^2 = 6.25 times brighter than a magnitude 3 star, and so on.
Now, on the morning of May 3, 2024, the difference in magnitude between the moon and Saturn will be 12.6 (by taking the number only).
So on the morning of May 3, 2024, the moon will be approximately (2.5)^12.6 = 103,287 times brighter than Saturn. However it is difficult to understand with the naked eye.
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