Oppositions of Uranus until 2037
Dates are in Universal Time. The distance is the one at the instant of opposition. In this list the closest opposition is that of January 7, 2037, at 17.779 AU.
| Opposition | Constellation | Distance | Kilometres | Closest to Earth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taurus | 18.443 AU | 2,759.1 million km | ||
| Taurus | 18.376 AU | 2,749.0 million km | ||
| Taurus | 18.307 AU | 2,738.7 million km | ||
| Taurus | 18.238 AU | 2,728.4 million km | ||
| Taurus | 18.169 AU | 2,718.1 million km | ||
| Taurus | 18.101 AU | 2,707.9 million km | ||
| Taurus | 18.034 AU | 2,697.9 million km | ||
| Gemini | 17.968 AU | 2,688.0 million km | ||
| Gemini | 17.904 AU | 2,678.4 million km | ||
| Gemini | 17.841 AU | 2,669.0 million km | ||
| Gemini | 17.779 AU | 2,659.7 million km |
What happens at opposition
At opposition the Earth passes between Uranus and the Sun: the planet is opposite the Sun in our sky. It rises around sunset, is highest around midnight and sets around sunrise, so it is visible all night.
It is also the time of year when Uranus is nearest and brightest, and when its disc is largest in a telescope. The good observing season lasts for several weeks on either side of the date.
Oppositions come back after one synodic period, the time Earth needs to catch up with the planet again. Around each opposition the planet moves retrograde for a few months.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next opposition of Uranus?
The next opposition of Uranus is on November 25, 2026, in 13 days, in Taurus. Uranus will be 18.443 AU from Earth (2,759.1 million km, 1,714.4 million miles).
How often is Uranus at opposition?
The next ones are on November 25, 2026, November 30, 2027, December 3, 2028 and December 8, 2029. The interval is the synodic period of Uranus.
Is Uranus closest to Earth on the day of opposition?
Within a few days of it. The closest approach is slightly offset from the opposition because the orbits of Earth and Uranus are ellipses; the table gives both dates.