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Saturn 26 March 2008

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16 years 1 day ago #65648 by lunartic_old
Saturn 26 March 2008 was created by lunartic_old
Hi all

I'm not noted as a planetary observer, Mars does nothing for me, Venus not much more, I only observed Uranus and Neptune just to have seen them. That leaves jupiter and Saturn.

With Saturn riding high in Leo it warrants a look. Using the highest magnification I possess, 206X with an 8mm Hyperion and 2X Barlow. The sight was magnificent, and the amount of detail amazing.

On the planet itself the South Equatorial Belt was obvious of a light brown band, the South Polar Region was a slight darkening, seen best with AV.

In the rings the A and B rings were obvious, the Cassini Division was a black curving strip both east and west of Saturn. The shadow of Saturn was projected onto the rings, there wasn't much to be seen, but it was there. The shadow of the rings was seen on the globe as a curved black line.

I know I saw Titan, due to it's magnitude, there were others points of light around the planet, one above Titan and one on the opposite side of Saturn, whether they were moons or stars I couldn't say.

During moments of greater clarity a little more detail could be teased out. All in all a beautiful sight.

Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning.

Rich Cook

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16 years 1 day ago #65651 by Frank Ryan
Replied by Frank Ryan on topic Re: Saturn 26 March 2008
Nice one Paul.
Saturn has to be my favorite object in the sky.
Really good views will knock your socks off.
Thanks for the report.

My Astrophotography
Shannonside Astronomy Club __________________________________________
Meade ETX-125PE, Bresser 10 x 50 Binos & Me Peepers

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16 years 1 day ago #65655 by Calibos
Replied by Calibos on topic Re: Saturn 26 March 2008
Nice Report Paul.

Three big advantages apparent there of your fabulous Refractor over say my dob. The much greater contrast allowing you to discern colour in the cloud bands, The clarity to see the cassini division. I have only been able to say, 'I think' I have seen it. And lastly a good tracking mount. The shadow of the planet may well have been visible in my scope not that I would notice because the eyes are inevitably drawn to the stand out features of the rings and disc and before I have really had a chance to start studying the whole planet its gone to the edge of the FOV and I have to re-align my dob on it....and my eyes are drawn to the rings........etc :D

Keith D.

16" Meade Lightbridge Truss Dobsonian with Servocat Tracking/GOTO
Ethos 3.7sx,6,8,10,13,17,21mm
Nagler 31mm

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15 years 11 months ago #65745 by pj30something
Replied by pj30something on topic Re: Saturn 26 March 2008
Saturn always blows me away (even though its small in my scope). I cant wait to look at it in my 8 inch scope (which i should be purchasing within the next 3-4 weeks).

Still waiting for Jupiter to rise high enough for me to observe it.

Paul C
My next scope is going to be a Vixen VMC200L Catadioptric OTA

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