Saturn's Rings 'Disappear' in Rare Alignment on March 23, 2024

Saturn's rings appeared to vanish on March 23, 2024, due to a rare ring plane crossing. This occurs when Earth passes through Saturn's ring plane, an event last seen in 2009. Saturn's 26.7-degree axial tilt causes its rings to appear to change orientation as it orbits the Sun over 29.4 years. Approximately every 13 to 15 years, the rings align edge-on with Earth, rendering them nearly invisible due to their thinness. The phenomenon is difficult to observe, especially for those in mid-northern latitudes where Saturn is close to the sun. The rings will reappear after March 2025, then vanish again in November of the same year, before becoming increasingly visible as Saturn's tilt shifts our perspective.