Starwatch: how to spot Saturn as it makes it closest approach to Earth this year
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EN: Use 'How to + verb' as a common phrase pattern to express 'the way to do something'. It is often used in titles, guides, and headings.
How to find stars with a phone app.
EN: Use the pattern 'a great time to + verb' to talk about a good opportunity or moment to do something.
Spring is a great time to visit Japan.
EN: Use 'between A and B' to talk about something being in the middle of two things, places, or people.
The park is between the library and the school.
EN: In astronomy, when Earth passes directly between the sun and an outer planet, this event is called 'opposition'. During opposition, the planet appears at its brightest and is visible all night.
EN: Use 'and' to connect two actions done by the same subject. Notice both verbs ('rises' and 'stays') end in '-s' because 'Saturn' is singular.
He works in the day and sleeps at night.
EN: Use the superlative adjective 'closest' (the most close) to describe the point with the least distance. It is often followed by 'to + noun' to show what it is close to.
This is the closest planet to the sun.
EN: In astronomy, the moment an outer planet like Saturn is closest to Earth usually happens around 'opposition'—when Earth is directly between the planet and the sun, making it appear biggest and brightest.
EN: Use 'can' + base verb to express ability or possibility. Prepositions like 'with' (using) and 'without' (not using) show how something is done.
You can read the book easily with your glasses, without any help.
EN: In astronomy, observing 'with your eyes, without a telescope' is commonly referred to as seeing something with the 'naked eye'.
EN: We use 'look like + noun' to describe what someone or something resembles in appearance.
That cloud looks like a rabbit.
EN: In astronomy, an easy way for stargazers to distinguish planets from stars is that planets usually shine with a steady light, whereas stars twinkle due to Earth's atmospheric turbulence.
EN: This sentence is an imperative sentence (giving an instruction or direction). It starts directly with a prepositional phrase followed by the base form of the verb 'look' without mentioning 'you'.
Turn right at the traffic lights.
EN: In astronomy and stargazing guides, instructions are given for specific local times and cities (like London) because celestial bodies appear in different directions depending on the observer's latitude and local time zone.
EN: We can put a noun phrase right after another noun (separated by a comma) to explain or describe what it is. This is called an appositive.
Paris, the capital of France, is famous for art.
EN: The 'Great Square of Pegasus' is a well-known asterism (a recognizable star pattern) in the autumn night sky of the Northern Hemisphere, often used by stargazers as a landmark to find other planets and constellations.
EN: Use an imperative sentence (verb starting without a subject) followed by 'and' to show cause and effect: 'Do this, and that will happen.'
Study hard, and you will pass the exam.
EN: In astronomy, planets like Saturn appear to move slowly compared to the fixed 'background' stars because planets orbit the sun closer to Earth. The preposition 'against' here means 'in contrast to or in front of a background.'
EN: Use 'need + noun + to + verb' to express what tool or action is required to achieve a specific goal.
You need a ticket to enter the museum.
EN: Saturn is widely known for its prominent ring system, first observed by Galileo Galilei in 1610. While Saturn itself is visible to the naked eye as a bright dot, a backyard telescope is required to resolve its distinctive rings.
EN: Use 'even' before a comparative adjective or adverb (like 'higher') to mean 'still more' or emphasize the difference.
Today is cold, but tomorrow will be even colder.
EN: The phrase 'southern half of the world' is a simple, everyday way to say the 'Southern Hemisphere' (countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc.). Because of Earth's tilt and latitude, planets and constellations appear at different heights in the sky depending on where you are.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
throughout the entire night
the sky as seen at night, especially with reference to the stars or planets visible
to move through the space separating two objects or people
the location or time at which an object is nearest to another