Starwatch: Saturn’s yellowish hue will stand out during close encounter with moon

Moon passing close by will coincide with Saturn's retrograde motion

The moon glides to a close encounter with the ringed planet Saturn this week. The chart shows the view looking east-south-east from London at midnight as 24 July becomes 25 July, shortly after the pair have risen.

The moon will be a waning gibbous, 18.7 days old, and heading for its last quarter phase. It will have about 83% of its visible surface illuminated.