Saturn & Neptune's paired retrograde motions in 2025-'26

In 2025, Saturn and Neptune got closest to each other since 1989. Their oppositions were only 2 days apart, Saturn's was on 21st September and Neptune's on 23rd. While the two planets kept close company during the observing season of 2025-'26, they came nearest to each other in early July 2025, just a degree apart at the upper left end of their loops.

The separation between Saturn and Neptune changes along the course of the year, as the planets trace different retrograde loops according to their own orbital velocities around the Sun, and also their distance. Just before the observing season wraps up, the two planets come together once again in late February 2026.