Saturn’s Iconic rings vanish from view, but they're not gone – WATCH VIDEO

Saturn's famous rings have seemingly disappeared from view, but don’t worry – they’re still there. This week, a rare celestial event called a "ring plane crossing" caused Saturn’s rings to vanish from Earth’s sight. It’s the first time this has happened since 2009, and it’s all due to a special alignment between Earth and the ringed planet.

So, what’s going on? Saturn is tilted by 26.7 degrees on its axis, much like Earth. As Saturn orbits the Sun on its 29.4-year journey, this tilt shifts how we see its rings.

Every 13 to 15 years, Earth aligns perfectly with Saturn’s ring plane. During this time, the rings, which are incredibly thin (only about ten meters thick in most areas), appear edge-on from our perspective. This makes them so narrow that they seem to vanish completely.

This event, called the "ring plane crossing," began over the weekend. Right now, Earth is cutting through Saturn’s ring plane. For viewers in the northern hemisphere, Saturn is positioned near the Sun just before dawn, making it hard to spot. However, if you're farther south, you have a better chance of seeing Saturn without its rings on the eastern horizon.

But don't worry, this cosmic vanishing act won’t last long. After March 2025, Saturn’s orbit will start tilting the rings back into view, and by 2032, the rings will be tilted to their maximum visible angle.