Comments on: Time to Observe Saturn – Opposition Occurs February 23! http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/ Space and astronomy news Sun, 8 Nov 2009 05:58:23 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Tom Leach http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-41714 Tom Leach Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:10:34 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-41714 Real Lord of the Rings works for me. Saturn is the King. Thanks for a great website and I really have learned alot listening to your podcasts. LOL. Thanks! Real Lord of the Rings works for me. Saturn is the King. Thanks for a great website and I really have learned alot listening to your podcasts. LOL. Thanks!

]]> By: Tammy Plotner http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-14089 Tammy Plotner Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:15:33 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-14089 I would almost guarantee you've seen Titan! Titan is suprisingly bright and orbits well outside (visually) from Saturn. Try observing over several nights and you can't miss its movement! For those of you who enjoy trying to identify Saturn's moons, use this great tool: http://www.wwu.edu/depts/skywise/saturn.html From an observational standpoint, it's easy to see the smaller, inner moons if you understand what to look for. In a small telescope, they are always right along the ring plane. Be patient, wait for a moment of clarity, and you'll spot the little troopers for a brief moment! Once you understand what they look like and where to see them, you'll be able to distinguish them far easier the next time. Keep up the good work with sharing the view! There is no more awesome feeling in the world than to watch someone's eyes (even in the dark) as they see Saturn for the first time! I would almost guarantee you've seen Titan! Titan is suprisingly bright and orbits well outside (visually) from Saturn. Try observing over several nights and you can't miss its movement!

For those of you who enjoy trying to identify Saturn's moons, use this great tool:

http://www.wwu.edu/depts/skywise/saturn.html

From an observational standpoint, it's easy to see the smaller, inner moons if you understand what to look for. In a small telescope, they are always right along the ring plane. Be patient, wait for a moment of clarity, and you'll spot the little troopers for a brief moment! Once you understand what they look like and where to see them, you'll be able to distinguish them far easier the next time.

Keep up the good work with sharing the view! There is no more awesome feeling in the world than to watch someone's eyes (even in the dark) as they see Saturn for the first time!

]]> By: Kevin Koski http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13928 Kevin Koski Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:16:25 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13928 Very nice article Tammy,its going to be a great Saturn season Very nice article Tammy,its going to be a great Saturn season

]]> By: Kevin Koski http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13927 Kevin Koski Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:14:54 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13927 Observed Saturn last nite man it was awesome,through my 16 inch dob,can't wait for next weekend when the full moon will be gone. Observed Saturn last nite man it was awesome,through my 16 inch dob,can't wait for next weekend when the full moon will be gone.

]]> By: daniel cooper http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13881 daniel cooper Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:55:43 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13881 well its 10pm est 2 23 08 and saturn is beautiful from michigan. i wonder if those 2 nearby dots are moons? 1 perhaps titan? well its 10pm est 2 23 08 and saturn is beautiful from michigan. i wonder if those 2 nearby dots are moons? 1 perhaps titan?

]]> By: Dave http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13870 Dave Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:23:09 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13870 Thanks, I'll have my scope out tonight! Thanks, I'll have my scope out tonight!

]]> By: Ken VanLew http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13814 Ken VanLew Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:42:24 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13814 Although Saturn has the lowest density, it is not the lightest. It is the only planet that would float if we could find a big enough tub. All 4 of the terrestrial planets are lighter as are Uranus & Neptune, and the once planet Pluto. it's important to distinguish between mass and density. Although Saturn has the lowest density, it is not the lightest. It is the only planet that would float if we could find a big enough tub.
All 4 of the terrestrial planets are lighter as are Uranus & Neptune, and the once planet Pluto.
it's important to distinguish between mass and density.

]]> By: Chicago Astronomer Joe http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13807 Chicago Astronomer Joe Sat, 23 Feb 2008 14:30:55 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13807 During the Lunar Eclipse in the bitter Chicago winter, we had telescopes targeting the Moon of course, but had one trained on Saturn. Both objects made for a great experience for the 700+ visitors who were awed by the copper Moon and rings. I think I'll have "Saturn" parties this spring and summer and say good by to the rings for awhile. Thanks Tammy for the opposition reminder. Chicago Astronomer Joe Administrator Telescope/Observatory Operator Adler Planetarium During the Lunar Eclipse in the bitter Chicago winter, we had telescopes targeting the Moon of course, but had one trained on Saturn. Both objects made for a great experience for the 700+ visitors who were awed by the copper Moon and rings.

I think I'll have "Saturn" parties this spring and summer and say good by to the rings for awhile.

Thanks Tammy for the opposition reminder.

Chicago Astronomer Joe
Administrator
Telescope/Observatory Operator
Adler Planetarium

]]> By: Saturn at Opposition « Atlantic StarHopper’s Astronomy Blog http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13699 Saturn at Opposition « Atlantic StarHopper’s Astronomy Blog Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:03:48 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13699 [...] 23rd! Rather than prattle on about it for paragraphs and paragraphs I’ll point you to the Universe Today blog site. The Universe Today is a great astronomy bog. They also publish regular and very [...]

[...] 23rd! Rather than prattle on about it for paragraphs and paragraphs I'll point you to the Universe Today blog site. The Universe Today is a great astronomy bog. They also publish regular and very [...]

]]> By: Tammy Plotner http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13689 Tammy Plotner Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:17:40 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13689 Look up the word "saturnine"... I just love all the astronomical implications! Look up the word "saturnine"… I just love all the astronomical implications!

]]> By: Tammy Plotner http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13687 Tammy Plotner Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:14:22 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13687 Good job, Haplo! I'm glad to hear you like the binoculars and I'll try to get some observing articles out for binoculars soon. Great pic! Good job, Haplo! I'm glad to hear you like the binoculars and I'll try to get some observing articles out for binoculars soon.

Great pic!

]]> By: MrBill http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13676 MrBill Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:35:30 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13676 Saturn's already named after a deity, isn't that wicked cool enough? Saturn's already named after a deity, isn't that wicked cool enough?

]]> By: Tammy Plotner http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13675 Tammy Plotner Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:33:02 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13675 LOL! How about Ring King? ;) LOL! How about Ring King? ;)

]]> By: Haplo http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13674 Haplo Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:31:11 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13674 Yes yes! In fact, the day of the lunar eclipse I was in total awe as I was able to see Saturn as a DISK, and not as a point, and not only that, but as an OVAL disk! And not only that, but as a YELLOW oval disk! And only with a 10x50 binocs!!! Wich I've owned for about maybe two months now. A terrific buy. Check out <a href="http://www.haplo.com.mx/fotoblog/2008/02/20/eclipse-lunar/" rel="nofollow">this pic</a> I took, with the moon, Saturn and two leo stars, I will upload more soon... hopefully... Yes yes! In fact, the day of the lunar eclipse I was in total awe as I was able to see Saturn as a DISK, and not as a point, and not only that, but as an OVAL disk! And not only that, but as a YELLOW oval disk!

And only with a 10×50 binocs!!! Wich I've owned for about maybe two months now. A terrific buy.

Check out this pic I took, with the moon, Saturn and two leo stars, I will upload more soon… hopefully…

]]> By: MrBill http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/comment-page-1/#comment-13670 MrBill Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:20:28 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/22/time-to-observe-saturn-opposition-occurs-february-23/#comment-13670 Come on Tammy... "real Lord of the Rings".... Ugh.... Come on Tammy… "real Lord of the Rings"….

Ugh….

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