Titan transits Saturn tonight/tomorrow morning

iceman (Mike) · #1 23-01-2009, 10:15 AM

Hi all

A reminder - check out Saturn tonight! Titan is transiting across Saturn, a very rare event!

If you start looking from approx 1am, Titan will be just off the edge of the planet.
At 2am, Titan begins the transit.
The transit will still be in progress when daylight comes.

* All times AEDST
* Location Sydney Australia, but should be similar for other parts of Australia and NZ.

I'm hoping for clear skies!

Tilt (Michael) · #2 23-01-2009, 10:19 AM

**sets alarm**

Thanks for the reminder

Davekyn (David) · #3 23-01-2009, 10:42 AM

Thanks for that,
Will use planetarium program to get my bearings. Not really sure where to look or if it will me veiwable due to all the trees and buildings present at my location during that time. Would be a real shame to miss that one!

iceman (Mike) · #4 23-01-2009, 10:43 AM

It'll be in the East/North-East around 1am. Look for the 'yellowish' star that doesn't twinkle

At about 3am it'll be in the N/NE and about 40deg altitude from Sydney latitudes.

Davekyn (David) · #5 23-01-2009, 10:46 AM

Thankyou.

Matty P (Matt) · #6 23-01-2009, 01:41 PM

I'd love to get out there tonight to view this event but I don't think the clouds will clear up in time. You never know...

Thanks for the heads up Mike.

Davekyn (David) · #7 23-01-2009, 05:29 PM

arrrrrrrgh, the clouds have set In here and look as if they are set to stay. How often does this event take place. Please do post your observations. I will still bring my little ED to work as I'm on the night shift, but itdoes not look good for those veiwing in the Toowoomba area.

I was so Hoping

cookie8 (Vincent) · #8 23-01-2009, 05:36 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Definitely will give this rare event a go.Come on clear up!

Clarry (Clayton) · #9 23-01-2009, 11:19 PM

Beautiful clear skies here in Sydney. 11:18pm now, hope it stays this way till 3am. Should be a great view.

"Damn, I spoke too early. I just finished writing this post, walked outside & a big bank of clouds are rolling in from the west."

iceman (Mike) · #10 24-01-2009, 01:44 AM

Clear here, through the eyepiece Titan is just off the edge of Saturn.

Unfortunately the seeing isn't very good yet (Saturn is still reasonably low) but hopefully it will improve.

cookie8 (Vincent) · #11 24-01-2009, 01:59 AM

Very cloudy here but looks clearing in the next 30mins.

Clarry (Clayton) · #12 24-01-2009, 02:05 AM

I actually got a good look about 1:45am. Nice view with the 8" Dob, but even with my 2 x Barlow & 9mm eye piece, it wasn't big or clear enough to make out Titan against the surface of Saturn.

iceman (Mike) · #13 24-01-2009, 02:25 AM

Dammit here come those clouds that you guys were talking about.

Transparency is reduced too much for imaging at hi-res now.

Visually through the eyepiece, I can just make out the brighter spot on the southern limb.

cookie8 (Vincent) · #14 24-01-2009, 02:25 AM

More high clouds rolling in from the west. Had a glimpse through my 7mm and 2x barlow to the 12"LB. Unable to see Titan against disc of Saturn. 2:30 now & I am done.

Davekyn (David) · #15 24-01-2009, 03:22 AM

From what you guys are saying, I'm almost embaresed to say I atempted with my little ED80 2xEDBarlow &ED2 12mm...+ Dizmal conditions.

Obviously, no chance in hell of seeing Titan...But I Have a new found respect at what my little ED can do. Despite the clouds & heavy light polution down in the carpark, unless my eyes were playing tricks, I was amazed to see the rings "extreamly" thin shadow line across the planets disc...possibly or probably I should say silouted ring.

I sufficed with that & the fact it was my real 1ST test with this scope. Glad I tried.

Davekyn (David) · #16 25-01-2009, 01:03 AM

Hey guys,
Why is it always the night after... The sky is so crystal clear...Damn & I am so tired after last nights efforts. The powers that be, know I need a good observation session about now. It's amazing how clear the rain can make night sky. It's always the way hey...maybey next time hey...zzzzzzzzzzzz