Attention Skywatchers, Saturn Reaches Opposition Tonight. 4/15/2012

For all those who enjoy viewing the night sky be advised that Saturn is reaching opposition and will be at it's best for viewing it's beautifull rings. I can't wait for some clear weather so I can train my telescope on this amazing view.



Saturn At Opposition

SATURN'S RINGS AT THEIR BEST: On Sunday, April 15th, Saturn is at opposition--directly opposite the sun in the skies of Earth. The ringed planet rises at sunset and soars high in the sky at midnight, up all night long. This is the time when Saturn's rings are at their best. From the point of view of Earth, shadows in the ring plane almost completely disappear (just as your own shadow tries to hide beneath your feet at noon) and sunlight is directly backscattered by icy ring particles toward our planet.

Here is a skymap to help anyone locate it in the night sky.

reply to post by usmc0311


i don't get it. O_O

Originally posted by SoymilkAlaska
reply to post by usmc0311

 

i don't get it. O_O

Uhhh...saturn is at the best time for viewing it's rings through a telescope. Pretty good explanation the op gave.

reply to post by usmc0311


SnF
This type of information is what makes ATS revolve.

Awww man, my scope has a broken mirror!! Must have been from moving.

I was just starting to set up a little viewing area for tonight and put one of my day filters on, and wham looked directly down at a crack through my mirror.

Looks like its binoculars for me tonight.

reply to post by W3RLIED2


I have a failing mount on mine right now. I just have to man-handle it around and can no longer make precision adjustments, but what can you do, this stuff is so expensive these days.