The year 2025 is drawing to a close, and the best beginner telescopes can offer intriguing glimpses of Saturn and Jupiter.
First of all, the best time to examine an outer planet is about a month either side of its opposition, that is, when Earth passes directly between the planet and the Sun.
It has been observed that this time is crucial because the distance between the planet and the Earth is the shortest, but the planet shines the brightest in the sky.
Saturn reached opposition on September 21, 2025 and will reach opposition again on October 4, 2026, while Jupiter reached opposition on January 10, 2026.
How can you see the intriguing appearance of Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s cloud bands?
For the minimum requirement, you will need at least a 50mm/2 inch aperture refractor and a 25mm eyepiece to view Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s cloud bands.
It is recommended to aim for an aperture of 102mm (4 inches) or even 125mm (5 inches) to obtain enough detail to make an impression.
However, you may be able to see the Cassine Division: a dark gap in Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.
In this regard, the Celestron Inspire 100AZ, a 4-inch refractor, will perform just as well with planets as a 5-inch reflector such as the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ.
To achieve a more advanced look, telescopes such as the Maksutov-Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain models should be used, as they collect more light and have a narrower angle of view, allowing up to 150x magnification.
A large number of telescopes rely solely on magnification, and successful viewing depends on the dynamic combination of preparation and proper use of the equipment.
Nevertheless, amateur telescopes will provide stunning views of the solar system’s giants, making the experience one of the most rewarding in astronomy.
