Saturn's Rings Vanish in Rare Celestial Alignment Visible Today

Saturn’s iconic rings will appear to disappear from Earth’s view on March 23 at 9:34 PM IST due to a rare “ring plane crossing.” This optical illusion occurs as Saturn’s 26.7° axial tilt aligns its rings edge-on with Earth, rendering them temporarily invisible. The phenomenon, recurring every 13–15 years, stems from both planets’ orbital positions. Despite spanning 170,000 miles, the rings’ razor-thin vertical profile (30 feet) makes them undetectable during this alignment. Visibility remains challenging globally, with Saturn positioned near the Sun’s glare, though southern latitudes may glimpse it post-dawn. The next observable event is projected for 2038.

 

Source: News18