Difference between revisions of "Find Saturn"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Learning Saturn's Orbit=== | === Learning Saturn's Orbit=== | ||
| − | #Learn Saturn's relation to Earth's rotation. Earth rotates around the sun once a year, while it takes Saturn about twenty nine and a half years to make the same rotation. Saturn is visible for at least part of every year when Earth passes between Saturn and the Sun.<ref>http://earthsky.org/space/give-me-five-minutes-ill-give-you-saturn</ref> Depending on the time of year and the relation of our planets, Saturn may be easier or more difficult to locate in the night sky. | + | #Learn Saturn's relation to Earth's rotation. Earth rotates around the sun once a year, while it takes Saturn about twenty nine and a half years to make the same rotation. Saturn is visible for at least part of every year when Earth passes between Saturn and the Sun.<ref name="rf1">http://earthsky.org/space/give-me-five-minutes-ill-give-you-saturn</ref> Depending on the time of year and the relation of our planets, Saturn may be easier or more difficult to locate in the night sky. |
| − | #Locate Saturn's future path of travel. If you want to locate Saturn, it would be difficult to just point your telescope into the sky and start blindly sweeping around. You have to know where to look, as well as what to look for. Consult a star chart that displays the path of Saturn and pick a time that it will be nearest a recognizable constellation.<ref>http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/saturn.htm</ref> | + | #Locate Saturn's future path of travel. If you want to locate Saturn, it would be difficult to just point your telescope into the sky and start blindly sweeping around. You have to know where to look, as well as what to look for. Consult a star chart that displays the path of Saturn and pick a time that it will be nearest a recognizable constellation.<ref name="rf2">http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/saturn.htm</ref> |
#*Starting in 2014, Saturn can be seen close to the constellation Libra, moving on later that year to Scorpius. In may of 2015, Saturn will retrograde, meaning it will move from East to West, back toward Libra. This would be a prime viewing opportunity to find Saturn. | #*Starting in 2014, Saturn can be seen close to the constellation Libra, moving on later that year to Scorpius. In may of 2015, Saturn will retrograde, meaning it will move from East to West, back toward Libra. This would be a prime viewing opportunity to find Saturn. | ||
#*Over the next ten years, Saturn will move steadily East in the sky of the Northern hemisphere, toward Capricornus. | #*Over the next ten years, Saturn will move steadily East in the sky of the Northern hemisphere, toward Capricornus. | ||
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#Look for a golden color shining steadily. Typically, Saturn will appear to have a yellowish-golden hue and won't twinkle like stars do. Because Saturn is a planet, it may not be as bright or instantly noticeable as some stars, because it doesn't shimmer. Use your constellation as a point of reference and look for a color difference. | #Look for a golden color shining steadily. Typically, Saturn will appear to have a yellowish-golden hue and won't twinkle like stars do. Because Saturn is a planet, it may not be as bright or instantly noticeable as some stars, because it doesn't shimmer. Use your constellation as a point of reference and look for a color difference. | ||
#Use a telescope. While Saturn itself is visible with the naked eye, it's a shame to try to find it and not be able to enjoy its distinctive rings, which are visible with a basic telescope. Using a telescope will make the job much easier, as Saturn will appear to be a distinctly different shape than other bodies in the sky. | #Use a telescope. While Saturn itself is visible with the naked eye, it's a shame to try to find it and not be able to enjoy its distinctive rings, which are visible with a basic telescope. Using a telescope will make the job much easier, as Saturn will appear to be a distinctly different shape than other bodies in the sky. | ||
| − | #*If you've got a powerful telescope with a yellow filter, that can help isolate the particular light in Saturn's spectrum, making it easier and more pleasurable to see.<ref>http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/3304811.html</ref> | + | #*If you've got a powerful telescope with a yellow filter, that can help isolate the particular light in Saturn's spectrum, making it easier and more pleasurable to see.<ref name="rf3">http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/3304811.html</ref> |
#Look for the dark edges. The planet will be darkened with shadow from the rings, giving an almost 3-dimensional appearance and an oblong quality when seen through a telescope. | #Look for the dark edges. The planet will be darkened with shadow from the rings, giving an almost 3-dimensional appearance and an oblong quality when seen through a telescope. | ||
| − | #Check out the rings. If you've got a good enough telescope to see the rings, you'll notice that they'll look flat, but create a more rounded and marble-like quality to the planet itself. You should also be able to distinguish between the A (outside) and B (inside) ring belts on the planet, which are pretty much the coolest thing in the sky.<ref | + | #Check out the rings. If you've got a good enough telescope to see the rings, you'll notice that they'll look flat, but create a more rounded and marble-like quality to the planet itself. You should also be able to distinguish between the A (outside) and B (inside) ring belts on the planet, which are pretty much the coolest thing in the sky.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Check out the moons. Aside from its famous rings, Saturn is also notable for the presences of its many moons, which are often visible in the foreground of the planet if the viewing conditions are right and you've got a powerful enough telescope. There's even an app for that.<ref>https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/saturnmoons/id606938707?mt=8</ref> | + | #Check out the moons. Aside from its famous rings, Saturn is also notable for the presences of its many moons, which are often visible in the foreground of the planet if the viewing conditions are right and you've got a powerful enough telescope. There's even an app for that.<ref name="rf4">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/saturnmoons/id606938707?mt=8</ref> |
=== Viewing Correctly=== | === Viewing Correctly=== | ||
#Get familiar with basic [[Stargaze Comfortably|stargazing]]. You don't have to be looking for anything in particular to get started, but it helps to develop some familiarity with basic constellations and [[Get Started in Amateur Astronomy|star charts]]. | #Get familiar with basic [[Stargaze Comfortably|stargazing]]. You don't have to be looking for anything in particular to get started, but it helps to develop some familiarity with basic constellations and [[Get Started in Amateur Astronomy|star charts]]. | ||
