No telescope needed to see Saturn on June 27

[webfact]

No telescope needed to see Saturn on June 27

By The Nation 

 

Photo Courtesy of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand

 

Saturn, with its remarkable rings, will be visible to the naked eye on June 27 and astronomers are urging people to have a look.

 

The gas giant will be at its closest point to Earth this year and in opposition to the Sun, with Earth squarely in the middle, affording the best possible views throughout that night.

 

National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand director Saran Poshyachinda said Saturn will be 1.353 million kilometres from Earth, as close as it gets this year, and if the sky isn’t overcast, the planet and its rings will be clearly visible.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30348359

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-22

[Zenwind]

I always like to see news articles that encourage folks to get out and see the Moon, stars and planets, but this article is misleading as written.  While you will be able to see Saturn with the naked eye, you cannot see Saturn’s rings with the naked eye.  You need at least a small telescope for that. 

 

Saturn is far away and always appears quite small from Earth, even now that it is relatively closer than usual.  Binoculars will not resolve the rings.  It has been decades since I used an old 2-and-a-half inch reflector telescope in North America, so I don’t remember the exact minimum magnification I used to see Saturn’s rings, but I am guessing that it was at least a 50-times magnification or more. 

 

I recommend getting a good Star Chart, and subscribe to the free weekly email news from Sky & Telescope magazine with my favorite section, "This Week's Sky at a Glance".  And take advantage of any clear skies here in this frustratingly hazy and overcast place. 

[flyingtlger]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

No telescope needed to see Saturn on June 27

But you'll need a gas mask if you live in Bangkok.......

 

[TKDfella]

36 minutes ago, Zenwind said:

I always like to see news articles that encourage folks to get out and see the Moon, stars and planets, but this article is misleading as written.  While you will be able to see Saturn with the naked eye, you cannot see Saturn’s rings with the naked eye.  You need at least a small telescope for that. 

 

Saturn is far away and always appears quite small from Earth, even now that it is relatively closer than usual.  Binoculars will not resolve the rings.  It has been decades since I used an old 2-and-a-half inch reflector telescope in North America, so I don’t remember the exact minimum magnification I used to see Saturn’s rings, but I am guessing that it was at least a 50-times magnification or more. 

 

I recommend getting a good Star Chart, and subscribe to the free weekly email news from Sky & Telescope magazine with my favorite section, "This Week's Sky at a Glance".  And take advantage of any clear skies here in this frustratingly hazy and overcast place. 

Yep, if one has a clear vantage point the chart below gives the relative positions of Saturn in the SE, Jupiter in the south and Moon roughly SW at around 9:45pm. Pity the OP didn't mention it eh?

Edited June 22, 2018 by TKDfella

[wpcoe]

A friend of mine had an app on his smart phone which showed the layout of the stars & planets.  He just pointed it to an area of the sky and the appropriate "star map" would appear.

 

I never bothered, since I rarely seem to be anyplace with out light (or other) pollution that lets me see more than one or two stars anyway.

[TKDfella]

1 hour ago, TKDfella said:

Yep, if one has a clear vantage point the chart below gives the relative positions of Saturn in the SE, Jupiter in the south and Moon roughly SW at around 9:45pm. Pity the OP didn't mention it eh?

Sorry fellas, posted the wrong day. The above is tonight and below is the 27th. I do apologise.

 

[kickstart]

2 hours ago, wpcoe said:

A friend of mine had an app on his smart phone which showed the layout of the stars & planets.  He just pointed it to an area of the sky and the appropriate "star map" would appear.

 

I never bothered, since I rarely seem to be anyplace with out light (or other) pollution that lets me see more than one or two stars anyway.

We rear a few cattle and most nights I go and check on them, I am always looking at the stars, but I am in a rural area and we have bad light pollution, cannot remember the last time I  could see at the big dipper, sits low in the sky.

TDKfella, thanks for the chart as it is in the SE I should be able to see it , no pollution they ,

[connda]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

No telescope needed to see Saturn on June 27

The Op obviously doesn't have my eyes. 

 

[connda]

5 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

But you'll need a gas mask if you live in Bangkok.......

 

Look!!! A Red Gas Giant!!!

[metisdead]

Troll posts about Uranus have been removed as well as the replies.

[The Deerhunter]

16 minutes ago, metisdead said:

Troll posts about Uranus have been removed as well as the replies.

We can imagine.  All very original too. No loss.

Edited June 23, 2018 by The Deerhunter