Saturnian Ring-Tilt

bloodhound31 · #1 17-02-2009, 10:17 AM

I was wondering how long the rings are going to appear edge-on. I had a couple of hours last night to gaze at it in the scope. I was actually unimpressed as this "Lord of the Rings" is now the "Lord of the straight line."

It is interesting, but not much to look at....

Baz.

Dog Star (Phil) · #2 17-02-2009, 11:20 AM

Depends on how often you've seen Saturn, I guess.
Was showing 3 "beginners" their first view of Saturn on Sunday night and all were amazed by the sight. One of them came over again on Monday night and wanted to see it again. Told me that he's been telling everyone he could about how amazing it was.
It may have helped that I explained to them that we won't see Saturn this way again for another 29 years.
(Hope I got that part right?)

firstlight (Tony) · #3 17-02-2009, 11:30 AM

I'm not sure, but I think that the planet will go to maximum tilt so we see the north(?) then back to edge on, tilt showing the south, then back to edge-on. So that is the full cycle over the 29 years? Edge-on to edge-on is 14/15 years... I think.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #4 17-02-2009, 11:52 AM

I know what you mean Barry, I used to enjoy looking for detail within the rings.
But given that I won't be around when this happens again, I'll enjoy it while I can.

Dog Star (Phil) · #5 17-02-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstlight

I'm not sure, but I think that the planet will go to maximum tilt so we see the north(?) then back to edge on, tilt showing the south, then back to edge-on. So that is the full cycle over the 29 years? Edge-on to edge-on is 14/15 years... I think.

Jeez! That does sound right, doesn't it?

Ah well, looks like a public retraction and humble pie for tea, yet again!

Quark (Trevor) · #6 17-02-2009, 01:07 PM

Hi All,
Seems to be some confusion regarding how often Saturn’s rings appear edge on.
Saturn’s polar axis is inclined 26.73 degrees to its orbital plane. It has an orbital period of 29.37 Earth years. Saturn maintains its inclination for its entire orbit, thus twice per orbit the rings will appear edge on and twice per orbit the rings will open to 26.73 degrees. The only variation with the two maximum ring openings is that in one instance Saturn’s North Pole will be tilted toward the Sun while in the second instance Saturn’s South Pole will be tilted toward the Sun.
Therefore from edge on to edge on will be 14.68 Earth years and the rings will go from wide open to wide open 26.73 degrees in 14.68 Earth years.
Only when the rings are close to edge on are the special regions at about 35 degrees North and South, dubbed “Storm Alley” both visible to Earth bound telescopes. This gives us the opportunity to discover electrical storms in both these regions which helps to advance our scientific understanding of the processes at work within the atmosphere of Saturn.
Regards
Trevor

toetoe (Peter) · #7 17-02-2009, 01:22 PM

I understand how your feeling there Baz but it's just the way it goes. Personally, if the rings look like a line or if i can see the gap like it was when i first viewed Saturn a few years back, I'm still happy as Larry to be able to view it in my little scope. Trevor, thanks for the explanation.

bloodhound31 · #8 17-02-2009, 01:49 PM

Thanks very much Trevor, great explanation. I take it that it will be a while before we start to see the beauty of the ring surfaces again.

Nettie, you are so right! Enjoy the different aspect while we can. I didn't mean to complain. I just really love the classic beauty of the rings at 26 degrees!

I will check on the gas giant from time to time, but in the meantime, I might concentrate on DSO detail instead.

It's good to know what Trevor has said so I can answer others when they ask.

Baz.