9 coming up · 2026 to 2028
Planets at opposition
When each planet beyond the Earth is opposite the Sun: up all night, at its closest and brightest for the year.
At opposition a planet rises at sunset, is highest around midnight and sets at sunrise, and it is about as close and bright as it gets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune come round every year or so; Mars only every 26 months.
Coming up
Highlighted rows are the big ones. Remind me emails you a day or two before.
October 2026
- 4 Saturn at opposition1.26 billion km · magnitude 0.3
November 2026
- 25 Uranus at opposition2.76 billion km · magnitude 5.7
February 2027
- 11 Jupiter at opposition652.1 million km · magnitude −2.6
- 19 Mars at opposition101.4 million km · magnitude −1.3
September 2027
- 28 Neptune at opposition4.32 billion km · magnitude 7.7
October 2027
- 18 Saturn at opposition1.25 billion km · magnitude 0.0
November 2027
- 30 Uranus at opposition2.75 billion km · magnitude 5.6
March 2028
- 12 Jupiter at opposition664.2 million km · magnitude −2.5
September 2028
- 30 Neptune at opposition4.32 billion km · magnitude 7.7
Already happened
Pages for past events stay up, with what happened and when it comes round again.
- Neptune at opposition 2026 26 September 2026
- Jupiter at opposition 2026 10 January 2026
Questions
When is Mars next at opposition?
19 February 2027, 101.4 million km away at magnitude −1.3.
What does opposition mean?
The planet is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. It rises at sunset, is up all night and is near its closest and brightest for the year.
Can I get a reminder?
Yes. Press Remind me on any event and we email you a day or two before, with the time. It needs only your email.