Saturn from 12/2, good seeing

[bird (Anthony Wesley)]

Last night was the best night of seeing so far this year from my place - finally I've got a decent Saturn image from it.

My goal on saturn this year was to get the cassini division all the way around, and if you squint just right it's there in this image :-)

Image composed of multiple imaging runs from 1am to 2am local time on the morning of 12th Feb, approx 8000 frames per channel.

Tethys is shown where it was located at the start of these imaging runs, at about 1.10am.

edit: replaced original image with improved version

regards, Bird

[sheeny (Al)]

Another beautiful image, as we've come to expect from you, Anthony! Very sharp!

Is the "brown" colour on the limb at 7 o'clock a storm?

On my PC it looks like onion rings from about 7 o'clock to 12 o'clock, but not on the rest of the limb. Is that a real artifact or just an anomaly on my monitor?

Al.

[iceman (Mike)]

Excellent image, Anthony! The rings are perfect.

[Dennis]

Got it without squinting Anthony! Top shot.

Cheers

Dennis

[Matty P (Matt)]

As always, an excellent image Bird.

The Cassini Division is cleary visible all the way around.

Well done.

[RB (Andrew)]

Stunning image Anthony, the rings are awesome and very crisp.

Originally Posted by sheeny

On my PC it looks like onion rings from about 7 o'clock to 12 o'clock, but not on the rest of the limb. Is that a real artifact or just an anomaly on my monitor?

Al.

Yes I see them too Al.

[beren]

Fantastic image congrats

[davidpretorius]

and i have just told pete lawrence he had the best saturn i have seen this season and then you go and beat it

well done bird........must be pleasing from the new setup.

i sense much satisfaction coming up for jupiter on your pier!!

[bird (Anthony Wesley)]

Al, there are problems with the disc down the left side, not sure why but it's definitely a bit artifact-y.

DP, the pier is still giving problems, last night I went back to the G-11 and tripod and got this result. It's still very mysterious, but I'm still working on it.

Thanks for the comments, it was nice to get one good saturn for this season!

cheers, Bird

[bird (Anthony Wesley)]

ok, that's better - replaced the original image with a new one.

[spearo (Frank)]

very impressive!
frank

[davidpretorius]

nice.

i still get a hint of artifacts down the left side of the globe.

the crepe ring is very nice!!

[Lester]

Excellent Bird.

Amazed at all the colours in the banding and so sharp.

Thanks for showing it.

[bird (Anthony Wesley)]

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

nice.

i still get a hint of artifacts down the left side of the globe.

the crepe ring is very nice!!

Yes, for some reason the left-hand edges are sharper than right-hand edges... still working on it...

cheers, Bird

[davidpretorius]

Originally Posted by bird

Yes, for some reason the left-hand edges are sharper than right-hand edges... still working on it...

cheers, Bird

left hand / right hand..........

must be the creative side of saturn!

[Bunker9603]

Nice! Very Nice!!

[rumples riot]

That is a one superb image Anthony. Such crisp detail and cassini's division all the way around. Excellent rendering of the image.

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

Yet another amazing image Bird

Not only the the Cassini division all the way around impressive, but you seem to have captured the Enke gap as well

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by bird

My goal on saturn this year was to get the cassini division all the way around, and if you squint just right it's there in this image :-)

Actually, there is a bit behind the planet that you missed. (erick ducks for cover!)


Seriously, I've just worked out why you said that, bird. I haven't gone back to look but I guess, during last season, getting the division was easy (well it's all relative - easy for experienced Saturn imagers) given the angle of the rings. With the rings closing up, that challenge is greater. Next season, probably impossible? Apologies, I'm a bit slow on the uptake.

ps. I agree - can see it without squinting. Haven't seen it on any other images yet.

[bird (Anthony Wesley)]

lol. A few images have shown the cd in front of the planet this year, but it's certainly a challenge!

cheers, Bird