(Viewed 654 times)

[Centaur]

Saturn and its rings are approaching opposition from the Sun on April 28th when the planet will be out all night. Greatest brilliance is expected around April 20th. My detailed article and graphics related to this year’s apparition can be found at: www.CurtRenz.com/saturn

Photos and descriptions of Saturn and its rings would be welcome additions to this thread.

[Paulie pchris00]

Even through just my 6" last Thursday, Saturn was looking super awesome. I've never seen the rings so open, so well. It should only get better the next couple weeks, and of course, I'd like to through a lot more aperture at it soon. Maybe tonight if it the forecast holds.

[Centaur]

Apr 12, 2013 12:19:05 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

...I've never seen the rings so open, so well. It should only get better the next couple weeks...

Actually the rings close a bit while the planet appears in retrograde motion, as is the current case. Take a look at my graph of the tilt this year. This is the reason that greatest brilliance this year occurs about a week before opposition.

[Paulie pchris00]

I was a little unclear. It's been awhile since I've seen Saturn well, and I don't remember the rings being as open as they are now. And I meant the overall view should get better, as we get slightly closer, and Saturn rises earlier, allowing for better observation at a decent hour. I wasn't necessarily referring to the ring tilt, although I see now that it looks as if I was. I apologize for the confusion.

[Centaur]

Apr 12, 2013 17:43:13 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I was a little unclear. It's been awhile since I've seen Saturn well, and I don't remember the rings being as open as they are now. And I meant the overall view should get better, as we get slightly closer, and Saturn rises earlier, allowing for better observation at a decent hour. I wasn't necessarily referring to the ring tilt, although I see now that it looks as if I was. I apologize for the confusion.

No need for an apology, Paulie. Obviously I was uncertain of your meaning and attempted to cover all bases. As you know, Saturn may be transiting lower during the coming years, but its rings are tilting further toward us and will be well displayed during summer evenings. The last period that the rings were nicely positioned was about a decade ago when they had to be viewed during winter evenings.

[Centaur]

Saturn will be at opposition tonight. If your skies are clear, head outside and enjoy.

[mojocvh]

The Master.....

astro.christone.net/saturn/index.htm