The Sky Today on Sunday, October 26: Iapetus at inferior conjunction

Now 11th magnitude, Iapetus is due north of Saturn and easier to find than at the extremes of its orbit. Take a look, and spot other saturnian moons along the way.
By | Published: October 26, 2025

Iapetus is located due north of Saturn on the 26th — use this opportunity to spot the oft-elusive moon, as well as several others of Saturn’s brood. Credit: Stellarium/Oleg Pluton
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • On October 25, Saturn's moon Iapetus reaches inferior conjunction, positioned 1.3′ north of Saturn and shining at approximately 11th magnitude, making it easier to observe near its parent planet.
  • Magnitude 0.7 Saturn will be highest around 10 P.M. local daylight time on October 25, presenting a 43” wide ring system and a 19” disk when viewed through a telescope.
  • At 10 P.M. CDT, Titan will be situated far to Saturn's west, Dione closer to the western rings, Tethys above the eastern rings, Rhea farther east, and Iapetus to the north of the planet, with Titan and Iapetus positions remaining relatively stable.
  • General astronomical parameters for October 25 at 40° N 90° W include a sunrise at 7:23 A.M., sunset at 6:04 P.M., moonrise at 12:29 P.M., moonset at 9:10 P.M., and a 26% waxing crescent Moon.
Key takeaways sponsored by The Space Store

Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column. 

October 25: Two shadows on Jupiter’s cloud tops

Saturn’s moon Iapetus reaches inferior conjunction tonight, sitting 1.3′ due north of Saturn and glowing at roughly 11th magnitude. This oft-elusive moon is easier to find when it is close to its parent planet, so give it a try tonight. 

Magnitude 0.7 Saturn is highest around 10 P.M. local daylight time, when it is the brightest point of light in the southern sky, hanging below the Circlet of Pisces and to the far upper left of Fomalhaut in Piscis Austrinus. Through a telescope, its rings stretch 43” wide, while its disk is 19” across. 

At 10 P.M. CDT, Saturn’s largest and brightest moon, Titan, lies far to the planet’s west. Much closer to the western edge of the rings is smaller, 10th-magnitude Dione. Just above the rings’ eastern tip is similarly bright Tethys, with Rhea farther to the east. And north of the planet is Iapetus. Note that while the positions of Dione, Tethys, and Rhea will change throughout the night, Titan and Iapetus should remain relatively stationary for all observers. 

Sunrise: 7:23 A.M.
Sunset: 6:04 P.M.
Moonrise: 12:29 P.M.
Moonset: 9:10 P.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (26%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 10 P.M. local time from the same location.

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