Like Earth, Saturn has a tilt to its axis. Ours is 23.5 degrees whereas Saturn is a tad more at 26.7 degrees. The outcome is that as Saturn orbits the Sun we get differing views of the rings. When it is Spring or Fall equinox on Saturn we see the rings edge on. During a solstice they are tilted as fully as possible to us.
Currently Saturn's northern hemisphere is just past solstice and we are enjoying the rings in all their splendor. There is probably no other object in the heavens that is so consistently awe inspiring. While not a large instrument my 6" reflector is more than up to the task of showing some subtle banding on the planet, the gap in the rings (Cassini's division) and some shadow play of the rings upon the planet.
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| August 9, 2017 at 10:00 p.m. EDT |
