Saturn 21 March-Vgood seeing+Storm patch in South

[John Hothersall]

SPX350 F34.6, PGRFlea3, Astrodon filters + IR742nm.

Vgood seeing to start but had to wait for Saturn to rise to 60+deg alt, got a nice diffraction ring around star Spica during collimation for first time ever in 2 years of planetary imaging so looked good for the night.

The 3 R RGB images 1245/1310/1340hrs UT, only decent IR was during 1245hrs set. I find IR only useful with Vgood seeing.

Saw storm patch in the South quite strongly for first time and picked up intricate detail in North storm track away from storm head.

Mirror misted and image faded with wobbly seeing I think due to primary fan which was on as I have foam nose on end of scope so fan may have cooled top end drawing cold air through, but don't really need fan just a habit?

Thanks for looking, John.

[DavidU]

Sensational !

[Derek Klepp]

John what is the white dot below the rings.Thanks for the updates.

[Quark]

Superb images there John,

Most excellent detail within the storm structure and the southern plume is also very well resolved. Well defined spoke like structure in the morning ansae of the "B" ring and nice job with the "C" ring.

An overall top shelf result, love the animation, certainly looks like very good seeing.

Regards
Trevor

[von Tom]

Excellent images John. I was sure hoping you were imaging last night as the stars looked so still on my way to night shift! :)

[Shiraz]

really excellent images John - amazing detail. regards Ray

[asimov]

By heck! I haven't seen anything that would beat this one anywhere in the world this apparition John! There's no doubt Damian has been busy though (as well as Bird) & I'm sure they'll drop a few bombs on the planet imaging fraternity soon, but until then..Best I've seen. Great job.

[Dave47tuc]

beautiful :eyepop: really is thanks :thumbsup: all your image's are :)

[SkyViking]

Some beautiful shots John, as always. And the spokes are clearly visible again. Excellent results :thumbsup:

[Frewi808]

I think that white dot is a new storm to come, I guess Trevor captured that a few times..
:eyepop: :shrug:
Freddy

[michaellxv]

Exceptional images John. Haven't seen detail like that in the rings before, and it holds up in every frame of your animation.

[John Hothersall]

Thanks everyone.

Derek there is a faint storm plume in South which shows here well. Quark has shown it previously and its great to have Saturn this busy.

Thanks Tom, stars were so still in Southern Cross - Antares and Arcturus were twinkling only slightly, wondered too if you would be imaging on such a calm night?

Just a pity this seeing does not last all night long but can't complain.

Have a 3 frame IR gif.

Regards, John.

[Red Nine]

Wonderful images.

It really was some pretty sensational viewing last night. Could easily see 6 moons and Cassini Division was clear as day.

Great job :thumbsup:

[mswhin63]

what fantastic images, who needs the Cassini :), well done

[Paul Delligatti]

These events on Saturn have been exciting. You have been putting together a wonderful record. I hope you are blessed with more good seeing and those pesky equipment problems stay away. Thanks for sharing.

Paul

[iceman]

Stunning result, John!

Awesome work!

[Paul Haese]

Sitting here looking out the window while it just pours down with rain and wondering when the sky will produce good seeing conditions here. John you have had a great run with the seeing. Traditionally Brisbane has had pretty average seeing in the last 10 years or so and as I recall when I lived there over 20 years ago it was not that great either. Your images this season have been exceptional and I suspect that no one this apparition will produce better images. Quite envious of your seeing but everyone has their turn eventually. Superb work. Nice spokes, great detail on the disk both north and south. Well done.:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Yeh top stuff Johnny, you're a good catch from the cold cloudy misserable UK.....I think we will claim you as an Aussie now :thumbsup:

Mike

[John Hothersall]

Thanks guys for the praise just hope the turnaround in seeing is more permanent here in Bris. Been here almost 12 months and am learning not to winge too much. Australian weather still a new thing and hope the rain and floods don't happen again, on the whole weather is better than UK for sure as seeing is only good in summer in UK when ecliptic is very low and nights short.

Regards, John.

[Clayton]

Amazing stuff John.

[Sylvain]

wooow!
Sick shots mate!
Congrats!

[EddieDog]

John, fabulous pics! Ahhhh makes me sick! ;)! But one day.....one day....
Eddie