161.

Saturn at opposition Saturn lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it slightly closer, brighter and larger than at other times. It is also optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Sun, 15 Apr 2012 at 14:18 EDT (4,447 days ago) in Virgo

162.

Mars ends retrograde motion Mars returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 at 23:52 EDT (4,449 days ago) in Leo

163.

Uranus at solar conjunction Uranus is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Sat, 24 Mar 2012 at 14:11 EDT (4,469 days ago) in Pisces

164.

Mars at perigee Mars reaches its closest point to the Earth – marking the best time to observe it in 1970. Mon, 05 Mar 2012 at 11:55 EDT (4,488 days ago) in Leo

165.

Mars at opposition Mars lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it closer, brighter and larger than at other times. It is also optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Sat, 03 Mar 2012 at 15:04 EDT (4,490 days ago) in Leo

166.

Neptune at solar conjunction Neptune is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Sun, 19 Feb 2012 at 15:32 EDT (4,503 days ago) in Aquarius

167.

Mars at aphelion Mars passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 at 17:52 EDT (4,507 days ago) in Leo

168.

Saturn enters retrograde motion Saturn reverses its direction of motion across the sky. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 at 09:06 EDT (4,515 days ago) in Virgo

169.

Mars enters retrograde motion Mars reverses its direction of motion across the sky. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 at 19:53 EDT (4,530 days ago) in Virgo

170.

Jupiter ends retrograde motion Jupiter returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Sun, 25 Dec 2011 at 17:22 EDT (4,559 days ago) in Pisces

171.

Uranus ends retrograde motion Uranus returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Sat, 10 Dec 2011 at 02:59 EDT (4,574 days ago) in Pisces

172.

Neptune ends retrograde motion Neptune returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 at 13:34 EDT (4,605 days ago) in Aquarius

173.

Jupiter at opposition Jupiter lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it slightly closer, brighter and larger than at other times. It is also optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 at 21:34 EDT (4,617 days ago) in Aries

174.

Jupiter at perigee Jupiter reaches its closest point to the Earth – marking the best time to observe it in 1970. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 at 14:41 EDT (4,618 days ago) in Aries

175.

Saturn at solar conjunction Saturn is unobservable as it passes around the far side of the Sun – marking the end of one apparition and the beginning of the next. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 at 17:03 EDT (4,632 days ago) in Virgo

176.

Uranus at opposition Uranus lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Sun, 25 Sep 2011 at 20:06 EDT (4,650 days ago) in Pisces

177.

Jupiter enters retrograde motion Jupiter reverses its direction of motion across the sky. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 at 05:34 EDT (4,676 days ago) in Aries

178.

Neptune at opposition Neptune lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 at 19:17 EDT (4,684 days ago) in Aquarius

179.

Uranus enters retrograde motion Uranus reverses its direction of motion across the sky. Sat, 09 Jul 2011 at 20:12 EDT (4,728 days ago) in Pisces

180.

Saturn ends retrograde motion Saturn returns to its usual eastward motion after opposition. Mon, 13 Jun 2011 at 00:09 EDT (4,754 days ago) in Virgo