Saturn at Opposition - 2008 FEB 24

[Centaur]

Saturn is approaching opposition from the Sun. Its greatest brilliance for this opposition should be achieved around 2008 FEB 16 at magnitude +0.2. Its closest approach of 8.2914 AU and its oppositions in longitude, right ascension and elongation will all occur on FEB 24 CST.

At the time of opposition the apparent tilt of Saturn’s rings (technically, the saturnocentric latitude of Earth) will be -8.4°. Its angular equatorial diameter will be 20.0 arcseconds. At a declination of N 11.3° Saturn remains well positioned in the sky for northern hemisphere observers.

Retrograde motion will end on MAR 02. Eastern quadrature will be achieved on MAY 22. Then on SEP 03 Saturn will be in conjunction with the Sun.

The southern side of Saturn’s rings was maximally exposed for us on 2003 APR 07 at 27.0°. The Sun will pass through the ring plane on 2009 AUG 10, then the Earth will do so on SEP 04. Between those dates the dark side of the rings will be presented to us, and they will be essentially invisible. Although that will be at a time when Saturn is nearing conjunction with the Sun.

Saturn's ring plane is not actually wobbling. It is the direction toward which we view the rings that changes as both the Earth and Saturn orbit the Sun.

I've created three graphics related to Saturn. They can be seen at: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Your photos and descriptions of Saturn would be welcome additions to this thread.

[Schneibster]

Had a look last night with the 9.25. Pretty awesome- seeing about 3 to 3.5. I was trying to figure out whether I could separate the ring shadow from the ring when the wind came up and the middle and low seeing went to 2, and I gave up and started breaking down. Tonight I was too lazy- I just spent all day putting up my new POD, and I'm too tired to do any astronomy (not to mention we have high cirrus and stratus, and it's probably a waste of time).

[Centaur]

Had a look last night with the 9.25. Pretty awesome- seeing about 3 to 3.5. I was trying to figure out whether I could separate the ring shadow from the ring when the wind came up and the middle and low seeing went to 2, and I gave up and started breaking down. Tonight I was too lazy- I just spent all day putting up my new POD, and I'm too tired to do any astronomy (not to mention we have high cirrus and stratus, and it's probably a waste of time).

Zero temperatures in the Midwest are not dissuading us.

[spaceboy0]

Next year the rings will be edge on and there will be shadow transits and occultations of Titan. According to Starry Night the first shadow transit of Titan wll be next year on February 24.

As far as Titan's shadow transit across Saturn, will my 8 inch allow me to see the tiny Titan shadow?

[saberscorpx]

Europa and Callisto's umbral shadows measure in around 0.6" and 0.5".

I believe Titan's shadow also subtends about 0.6".
Plus it's projected onto Saturn's smaller disc.
Detection should be possible for even small scopes in good seeing.

I was around for the last ring crossing but my schedule at the time
conflicted with alot of observational events. So I've been
waiting awhile for this.

Here's how Hubble saw it in 1995:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap981018.html


SJS