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Saturn
Aug 1, 2021 12:59:22 GMT
Post by Tringa on Aug 1, 2021 12:59:22 GMT
Saturn is at opposition tonight, ie in the opposite direction to the sun and therefore in a favourable position for observation and the rings are at a particularly good angle for viewing.
As Saturn is distant (about 9 times the distance from the Sun to the Earth) it will remain visible in the night sky for many weeks after opposition.
To the naked eye it looks star-like, binoculars will resolve it to be(due to the rings) a slightly odd looking disc, but a telescope is needed to get a good view of the rings. Last year I saw the rings clearly with an 80mm spotting scope.
Dave
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Saturn
Aug 3, 2021 6:40:36 GMT
Post by ianr on Aug 3, 2021 6:40:36 GMT
If / when we get a clear night I'll have a look see. Last year I managed to get to see the rings for the first time through my birding scope and who knows there may well be a couple of shooting stars to boot 'must get some refreshments in' ian
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Saturn
Aug 8, 2021 5:42:14 GMT
Post by ianr on Aug 8, 2021 5:42:14 GMT
Friday night after the rain shower thought I'd sit out for some peaceful relaxation, light weight jacket on and glass in hand I sat watching the clouds drift by Started with swifts a couple of dozen at times it always amazes me how they just seem to appear from nowhere next bats distinctly two different sizes. As the sky cleared and the first star appeared straight up 12 o'clock above me then more and more. The sky by now was quite clear so started to look around for planets what must have been Mars appeared in the south east very large and bright, I brought out the scope for a better look seemed to have 2 moons I suspect they were distance stars. Further round to the south just above the roof tops I think it was Saturn looked a little disc shaped but I couldn't see any distinct gap between planet and rings possibly Jupiter? By now the sky was full of stars with my favourite constellation in view Cassiopeia quite high to the north of me sadly no shooting stars lots of satellites though going in all directions Of course there was some alien activity8D I've seen this before high south east looks like a satellite but a little slower no flashing lights then no light at all then there it is again it 's definitely moving but doesn't seem to go far sometimes there's 2 Oh my it's 11-30 glass is empty time for bed ian
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Saturn
Aug 8, 2021 13:18:16 GMT
Post by Tringa on Aug 8, 2021 13:18:16 GMT
Sounds like you had a good time, Ian. The first planet you mention - "very large and bright" - was Jupiter. Mars is very close to the Sun in the sky now and isn't visible. It is also very likely the points of light close to it, which you thought were distant stars, were two of Jupiter's moons. The four Galilean moons(Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto) are fairly easily seen, under good condition, even in binoculars. The reason you only saw two could be the other two were behind the planet at the time, or possibly transiting in front of Jupiter. With a big telescope(probably a minimum of 150mm diameter) a moon transiting would show up as a small dark point, but would be invisible in a spotting scope. Bit of info on the Galilean moons here - earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/how-to-see-jupiters-moons/Dave
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Saturn
Aug 9, 2021 6:32:00 GMT
Post by ianr on Aug 9, 2021 6:32:00 GMT
Thanks Dave, Jupiter, I did wonder but it look so large even without bins or scope am I right in assuming it will be showing well for a while now? if so I may rig the camera up and try for a photo. ian
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Saturn
Aug 9, 2021 14:26:28 GMT
Post by Tringa on Aug 9, 2021 14:26:28 GMT
Yes, Ian. Jupiter is at opposition(opposite in the sky to the Sun) in 11 days and therefore due south at midnight. Although not as distant as Saturn it is still a long way away and will remain visible for a long time. It will still be visible in December but by then will be more distant from the earth. It will get to its highest point a little earlier each evening so will become easier to observe.
If there is a decent spell of clear weather over a number of days it is good to watch the movements of the four largest moons.
Dave
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Post by ianr on Aug 11, 2021 9:56:18 GMT
Had a look last night in the cloud free patches Jupiter was clear and the brightest thing in the sky a look through the scope revealed 4 moons this time couldn't get anywhere near a photo of it though still it was a good view. No shooting stars looks like I'm going to have to start later and stay longer ian
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