Astroblog: Opposition of Saturn, Sunday, February 11

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Opposition of Saturn, Sunday, February 11

The Northern sky as seen from the Southern Hemisphere at roughly midnight (click image to enlarge). Golden Saturn is not far from bright Regulus, above the sickle of Leo.

Saturn is at opposition on Sunday, February 11. At this time, Saturn will be at its brightest and will appear at its largest in telescopes. This ringed world is always a joy to behold, but at and around opposition, Saturn is at its best in even small telescopes.

While biggest and brightest on Sunday, because Saturn's apparent size doesn't change much over its orbit, it will be good viewing for all of February and March.

The main issue is that now Saturn can be seen sufficiently high above the horizon in the late evening than non-insomniacs can view it in a telescope, while Saturn rises around 7 pm, it remains close to the horizon until after 10:00 pm, where the roiling of the atmosphere makes viewing frustrating.

Saturns rings are also closing up, by 2010 the rings will be edge on, so this will be the last time for several years to see the rings displayed well. So if have a telescope, drag it out and dust it off. If not, find a friend or relative with one and cadge a look off them. Otherwise, why not pop into one of your local observatory or planetariums viewing days, or the local Astronomical Societies' open nights. It will be worth it.

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 10:10 pm

Comments:

As you note, at opposition Saturn's size doesn't change appreciably. When not in opposition, Saturn's shadow cast on the rings make observations more 3D.
peter

# posted by