Planets

[Graham Sanders (Graham Sanders)]

Hi folks, the seeing was 9 out of ten even though there were a few puffy clouds migrating across the sky. Tassie has not been the most cooperative for the eyepiece of late however it turned on a breath taking view of Saturn last night. The divisions in the rings were crisp (my wife and I were simply amazed at the clarity) the shadow cast behind the planet was text book! the clouds were almost photographic, my 17.5" of Ostahowsky Mirror was in it's element. I started with the ethos 13mm and went to the extremes, 4.7 explore scientific was still offering moments of crisp viewing so in went the 2x powermate! Saturn was filling the eyepiece and although things were getting a little fuzzy the ring divisions were there! well I'll get my feet back on terra firma, I'll be out again tonight as the weather system responcible for these rare viewing conditions will be here for a bit longer, visual astronomy "amazing!" cheers fellow observers

[Asso (Brett)]

I have not actually been on this site for a while. I too have a telescope and still see some of the moon and bit of Jupiter.
Where in the night sky is Saturn atm?

[Steffen]

At half past 9 it'll be high up in the north (75 or so degrees altitude) and unmissable. It's right between Virgo and Libra at the moment.

EDIT At that time Saturn will be about 30 degrees straight above the slightly brighter star Arcturus. Should be very easy to spot.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Liz]

Hi Brett - Saturn is rising in the east about 5pm, and as Steffan says, just to the right of red Arcturus.

Check the stellarium image -
PS if you havent got Stellarium, get it, it is a great piece of free astronomical software!!

[Liz]

Sounds fabulous Graham!!! You will always remember those views of the beautiful planet.

[Suzy]

I enjoyed reading your night with Saturn, many thanks for sharing, Graham.
I've yet to see that shadow!