#1  
Old 04-05-2024, 11:27 AM
EpickCrom (Joe)
Epick Crom

EpickCrom is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Perth
Posts: 439
Saturn Daytime Observation

Hi fellow observers.

This a quite a brief observation report, but a significant one for me, I just got my first ever observation of Saturn during the day!

Using the waxing crescent moon as my guide at 9am local time in a blue sky and the sun shining I brought out my 10 inch dob to attempt this observation. Saturn lay 1° 20' away from the crescent moon. I centred my dob on the moon and plucked in my 9mm APM 100° eyepiece which gives me a TFOV of 45' then started slowly sweeping away from the moon in the direction of Saturn. After a couple of minutes scanning blue sky I was ready to give up when, lo!, there it was! A beautiful pale ghostly orb floating in blue sky, Saturn! It's rings are almost edge on now.

This marks the third planet I've seen during the day, after Venus and Jupiter. What a lovely, ghostly sight! Now to try for Mars in the daytime next!

Clear Skies
Joe
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-05-2024, 01:43 PM
Tinderboxsky's Avatar
Tinderboxsky (Steve)
I can see clearly now ...

Tinderboxsky is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kingston TAS
Posts: 1,070
Great result, Joe.

Your report brought back very similar memories for me using my 140 refractor several years ago. I had exactly the same experience. About to give up and then suddenly it appeared in full view. From memory my daylight observations of Saturn were closer to Saturn's opposition, so it was marginally brighter and easier to observe with a smaller aperture.

Another day time project I have had some success with is chasing close planetary conjunctions. These are often reported as night time conjunctions for ease of observation. On a couple of occasions I have found the closest approach occurs during daylight hours and have targeted these.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-05-2024, 03:45 PM
LonelySpoon (Neville)
Registered User

LonelySpoon is offline
 
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Manton
Posts: 283
Well done Joe!

I used to teach a unit on Daytime Astronomy, showing planets, the sun, the moon and two brightest stars. Teachers and kids alike amazed that the stuff was still up there during daytime.

I had one child who flatly refused to believe that the Moon came out in the daytime, not even when it was pointed out to her by her father.

She's probably gone on to become a flat earther by now...

Neville
LSO
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-05-2024, 07:18 PM
EpickCrom (Joe)
Epick Crom

EpickCrom is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Perth
Posts: 439
Thanks Steve and Neville.

There is something special observing a planet in broad daylight. They take on a ghostly, etherical appearance
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-05-2024, 09:17 AM
glend (Glen)
Registered User

glend is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,096
I recall a few years ago, I observed Saturn being occluded by the Moon in daylight. It was a great sight to see, with Saturn appearing to dive into the Moon, only to reappear after transiting behind it. A great assistant to planning this can be obtained from Sky Safari.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-05-2024, 09:35 AM
Tinderboxsky's Avatar
Tinderboxsky (Steve)
I can see clearly now ...

Tinderboxsky is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kingston TAS
Posts: 1,070
Quote:
Originally Posted by glend View Post
I recall a few years ago, I observed Saturn being occluded by the Moon in daylight. It was a great sight to see, with Saturn appearing to dive into the Moon, only to reappear after transiting behind it. A great assistant to planning this can be obtained from Sky Safari.
Yes, that was a memorable event. I missed the re-appearance by about 45 seconds due to some pesky fast moving cloud.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-05-2024, 09:53 AM
EpickCrom (Joe)
Epick Crom

EpickCrom is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Perth
Posts: 439
Quote:
Originally Posted by glend View Post
I recall a few years ago, I observed Saturn being occluded by the Moon in daylight. It was a great sight to see, with Saturn appearing to dive into the Moon, only to reappear after transiting behind it. A great assistant to planning this can be obtained from Sky Safari.
Wow, that must have been an awesome sight Glen d
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-05-2024, 12:19 PM
N1 (Mirko)
Registered User

N1 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Dunners Nu Zulland
Posts: 1,692
Great observation, well done!
It does look neat in a blue sky.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-05-2024, 09:17 PM
EpickCrom (Joe)
Epick Crom

EpickCrom is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Perth
Posts: 439
Quote:
Originally Posted by N1 View Post
Great observation, well done!
It does look neat in a blue sky.
Thanks Mirko.

It was a breathtaking observation for sure, now to try for Mars one day
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-05-2024, 10:39 AM
Dave882 (David)
Registered User

Dave882 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: PADSTOW
Posts: 2,318
Great stuff! I’ve had a few daylight planetary sessions but not for some years I’m keen to have another crack thanks for he inspiration!!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-05-2024, 06:36 PM
EpickCrom (Joe)
Epick Crom

EpickCrom is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Perth
Posts: 439
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave882 View Post
Great stuff! I’ve had a few daylight planetary sessions but not for some years I’m keen to have another crack thanks for he inspiration!!
Thanks David. It is so fascinating seeing a planet floating in the blue daytime sky.

I hope another opportunity presents itself to you soon!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 11:39 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement