What is wrong with Saturn

[leon]

Hi Guys, well i wouldn't know where to start to image Planets like all these fantastic images of the Jupiter that i see here.

Now I'm no expert on the subject by any means, but why don't we see some images of Saturn once in a while.

It's always Jupiter, and they are Fantastic, so i was wondering, is there something wrong with Saturn.

Cheers Leon

Please Explain

[matt]

Hi Leon

Here are a few basic reasons.

Saturn is already past opposition while Jupiter is still approaching and it's already about twice the size of Saturn.

To some, Jupiter is far more interesting an object to capture since it's features are forever changing and it's surface is so dynamic.

There are those moon/shadow transits

Saturn really only presents one with one image. Transient surface features are not plentiful.

Not that there is anything "wrong" with Saturn. I have imaged it quite a lot this apparition.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Here ya go Leon. Only a coupla weeks old.

[iceman (Mike)]

Saturn is dim and hard to capture well, and it only reaches 35-40deg, making it even more difficult to capture well.

Matt outlined the other reasons.

But there'll be some moonage in 3rd quarter I can assure you, and don't forget the Mars images will be flowing in over the next few months.

[matt]

Originally Posted by iceman

and it only reaches 35-40deg, making it even more difficult to capture well.

Most definitely a major factor, Leon.

Jupiter is climbing to well over 70 degrees and those conditions are massively more favourable than Saturn's low altitude and subsequent susceptibilty to atmospheric distortion.

[leon]

Well Thank You gentlemen, well explained, i will say no more, well not for a little while.

Cheers Leon

[leon]

That's a beauty Paul, i really do like it better than Jupiter though, not saying that the Jupiter images are not spectacular.

And i was not going to say anything for a while, well that didn't last long, now did it.

Cheers Leon

[erick (Eric)]

Having been around only since last Nov/Dec - I thought they were all "..just so over Saturn!"

I'm not, I've got my newly acquired 8" to target it with! See if I can see the planet's shadow on the rings grow a bit more!

[John K]

Agree with what everyone has said, but as you asked for a Saturn image this Saturn taken during the week. Just 350 frames stacked in Registax. Have a problem with the RGB split in that there is something wrong with my Blue channel so cannot process it how I normally do it, but this is not too bad at all for just Registax.
It's my first effort with DP's cooler protype getting the mirror close to ambient on my scope.
Enjoy!
p.s. and yes, Jove does rock!

[matt]

Lovely, John