{"id":48729,"date":"2023-08-21T13:40:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-21T13:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/7f2c7903-4252-4b3c-9cd8-ba916af1ae27"},"modified":"2023-08-24T17:33:46","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T17:33:46","slug":"patrick-moores-guide-to-observing-saturn-with-a-telescope","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/patrick-moores-guide-to-observing-saturn-with-a-telescope\/","title":{"rendered":"Patrick Moore’s guide to observing Saturn with a telescope"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Patrick Moore\n <\/p>

Published: Monday, 21 August 2023 at 13:40 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Patrick Moore’s guide to observing Saturn with a telescope<\/h1>
Many people regard Saturn as the most beautiful object in the entire sky, and observing the planet with a telescope is one of astronomy’s most satisfying treats.<\/p>
This is certainly my view: when seen through an adequate telescope against a dark sky, there is nothing to match the glory of Saturn<\/a>.<\/p>
True, other planets have ringed systems, but these are dark and obscure, and in no way comparable with the brilliant icy rings of Saturn.<\/p>
Discover our pick of the best telescopes for observing the planets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Saturn photographed by John Chumack, Dayton, Ohio, USA, 20 August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
With the naked eye, Saturn looks stellar; at its best it is brighter than any star apart from Sirius.<\/p>
It is slightly yellowish, and the ancients regarded it as baleful.<\/p>
Binoculars will show that there is something unusual about its shape.<\/p>
In this guide we’ll go through our top tips on observing Saturn with a telescope and what you can expect to see, particularly if the planet happens to be approaching opposition<\/a>.<\/p>\n
$\"Saturn$
Saturn Dmitry Ardashev, Zaprudnya, Moscow region, Russia, 26 July 2021 Equipment: ZWO ASI462MC camera, TS-Optics UNC 10-inch Newtonian, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R mo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
4 top tips for observing Saturn<\/strong><\/h2> 1: Look for detail in the rings<\/strong><\/h3>
In small telescopes (7\u201310cm aperture), the fine black line of the Cassini Division will be seen between rings A and B, while larger apertures (30cm+) may reveal the Encke Division in Ring A.<\/p>
2: Collimate and cool down<\/strong><\/h3> If you\u2019re using a mirror-based telescope, make sure it\u2019s well collimated<\/a>.<\/p>
Also, ensure that your telescope is in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings.<\/p>
Allow 30 minutes for a refractor and a couple of hours for a mirror-based scope to cool.<\/p>
If you need to, use a hair dryer to gently remove moisture from optical surfaces.<\/p>
3: Keep an eye on Saturn’s atmosphere<\/strong><\/h3> Choose a night when the seeing<\/a> is good. Look at a bright star close to Saturn though your telescope and defocus its image slightly.<\/p>
If the image shudders and trembles badly, the seeing and your subsequent view of the planet will probably be poor.<\/p>
4: Tweak your observing set-up<\/strong><\/h3>
Larger apertures are better for detecting subtle planetary spots, while coloured (Wratten) filters may help visual observers see faint detail.<\/p>
Start with modest magnifications, then increase the power until you\u2019re at the highest that the seeing conditions will stand.<\/p>\n
$\"Like$
Like Jupiter, Saturn\u2019s atmosphere shows numerous belts and zones. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Observing Saturn’s surface features<\/strong><\/h2>
When observing Saturn through a telescope, the feature that will immediately stand out is the flattening of Saturn\u2019s disk.<\/p>
It is very obvious: the polar diameter is 7,500 miles (12,000km) less than the equatorial.<\/p>
The belts are less striking than those of Jupiter and are sensibly curved.<\/p>
The two equatorial belts, one either side of the equator, are always present, and are easy to observe unless covered up by the rings.<\/p>
Several other belts are present, notably the north temperate and the south temperate belt.<\/p>
Saturn\u2019s polar regions are always dusky, and a greenish hue has often been recorded; it is always worth looking for the colours on Saturn, though they are never marked.<\/p>
The equatorial zone is always brighter than the rest of the planet.<\/p>
With sufficient aperture (over 12 inches) look for the strange \u2018spokes\u2019 in Ring B.<\/p>
This is due to particles elevated away from the main plane by magnetic effects.<\/p>
They were seen by observers long before the Voyager missions<\/a> and with electronic equipment they are not hard to photograph.<\/p>\n
$\"Saturn\u2019s$
Saturn\u2019s rings appear brighter near to opposition than at other times, as this compare and contrast shows. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Observing and sketching Saturn’s rings<\/strong><\/h2>
Unlike Jupiter, Saturn is an awkward object to draw. One needs considerable artistic ability.<\/p>
Use pre-prepared blanks \u2013 this is not cheating \u2013 and details can be filled in by direct observation.<\/p>
You can download our Saturn Observing Form (PDF)<\/a> to help<\/p>
When the rings are well displayed, look first at the disk; draw the belts, and search for any unexpected features such as a white spot.<\/p>
Then turn to the rings. With even a small telescope, such as a 3- inch (7.5cm) refractor, the Cassini Division should be easy to spot, together with indications of the Cr\u00eape Ring.<\/p>
Larger apertures bring out the Encke Division in the A Ring, which is much more elusive, but with a telescope of, say, 12-inch (30cm) aperture, this should not be difficult to see.<\/p>\n
$\"Saturn$
Saturn in June by Avani Soares, Canoas, Brazil. Equipment: C14 Edge, ASI 224, PM 2X, L filter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Shadows and spots<\/strong><\/h3>
When making a drawing, take care of the shadows cast by the rings on the planet and by the planet on the ring system.<\/p>
The shadow on the rings is never as dark as the black sky background, and the ring shadow on the globe is much darker than any of the belts.<\/p>
Look too for any unusual spots on the disk; these can appear without any warning, and amateurs have a good chance of discovering them.<\/p>
The great white spot of 1933 was found by WT Hay, who may be remembered as Will Hay, the stage and screen comedian.<\/p>
In 1960 I found a white spot; I was using my 12.5-inch (32cm) reflector, and I was excited \u2013 but, sadly, the spot did not develop.<\/p>
A bright white spot was found by an amateur, S Wilber in 1990; it remained for some weeks.<\/p>
Remember, Saturn is always changing, and overall, the vast globe is less dense than water.<\/p>\n
$\"Saturn$
Saturn and its moons, captured by Sreesha Belakvaadi, Bangalore, India, 1 May 2021\nEquipment: ZWO ASI290MC colour camera, Celestron 9.25\u201d SCT, iOptron CEM40 mount<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Observe Saturn’s satellites<\/strong><\/h2>
Do not forget the satellites. Titan, at magnitude +8, is easy to see with any small telescope, and Rhea, Dione and Tethys are by no means difficult.<\/p>
The variable Iapetus is also easy enough when west of Saturn; when at eastern elongation its darker hemisphere is turned towards us, and the magnitude drops well below +11.<\/p>
This article originally appeared in the February 2006 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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