Event Date: May 18th
Time: 10:51(.51) PM
Brief
The time above is that of Saturn's transit, which is happening about four minutes earlier each evening. Since its opposition last month, Saturn has improved in altitude daily once visible during twilight. With the Sun setting past 8 PM now, and twilight lingering longer, it means that it Saturn is not seen with the eye alone until about 30-40 minutes later, depending on one's latitude. It remains high enough in our sky to view until just before dawn, The two hours before and after transit--above the atmospheric pollution--let us see the divisions between the rings most easily. When skies are stable however with little or no wind, we can also still see enough of the disc of Saturn.
This first image shows it at transit.
Time: 10:51(.51) PM
Brief
The time above is that of Saturn's transit, which is happening about four minutes earlier each evening. Since its opposition last month, Saturn has improved in altitude daily once visible during twilight. With the Sun setting past 8 PM now, and twilight lingering longer, it means that it Saturn is not seen with the eye alone until about 30-40 minutes later, depending on one's latitude. It remains high enough in our sky to view until just before dawn, The two hours before and after transit--above the atmospheric pollution--let us see the divisions between the rings most easily. When skies are stable however with little or no wind, we can also still see enough of the disc of Saturn.
This first image shows it at transit.
Detailed
At a little more than 6º south of the celestial equator, Saturn will be seen lower towards the horizon at transit for the next 5 years. Once it reaches the position against the stars that our Sun is at the winter solstice, it transits at similar low altitudes for about a year. For the next 7 years after that, it gradually transits higher, eventually reaching the celestial equator. Southern hemisphere observers are having the fun of seeing it higher in the sky now than we are, and further out of atmospheric pollution for viewing. For locations near the equator, they see Saturn high in the sky throughout its revolution. Of course, with the amount of humidity at those latitudes, a clear image Saturn for viewing may not come out as well as it would at mid-northern/southern latitudes.
The following zoom-in shows the Moons' positions around Saturn, with a field of view of 12'; this gives a magnification of about 350x. With stable skies and Saturn near or transit, Saturn should look very good with this magnification.
At a little more than 6º south of the celestial equator, Saturn will be seen lower towards the horizon at transit for the next 5 years. Once it reaches the position against the stars that our Sun is at the winter solstice, it transits at similar low altitudes for about a year. For the next 7 years after that, it gradually transits higher, eventually reaching the celestial equator. Southern hemisphere observers are having the fun of seeing it higher in the sky now than we are, and further out of atmospheric pollution for viewing. For locations near the equator, they see Saturn high in the sky throughout its revolution. Of course, with the amount of humidity at those latitudes, a clear image Saturn for viewing may not come out as well as it would at mid-northern/southern latitudes.
The following zoom-in shows the Moons' positions around Saturn, with a field of view of 12'; this gives a magnification of about 350x. With stable skies and Saturn near or transit, Saturn should look very good with this magnification.
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| click on images to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp. |
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