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A rule of thumb tells us not to expect decent resolution on anything less than 25-30 degrees above the horizon. Still, seeing has to be pretty bad to not even *detect* the rings.
Also, this is not exactly Saturn season.
Quadrature (90 deg from Sol- an unfavorable viewing aspect) is December 1st, revealing a 15% smaller and 10 times dimmer Saturn than we admired in early 2007. Plus, the rings have closed from 15d in April to less than 7d.
Fortunately, Saturn oppositions (our closest approach and most favorable viewing aspect) come around about every 378 days.
The next is in late-February 2008. At that time (and the 6 weeks before and after) Saturn gives us its best and brightest performance.
Hang in there,
SJS
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