Check out the Solar System’s most beautiful planet at its closest distance to Earth
The vastness of the Universe, let alone the Solar System has always fascinated me. From the constellations to the distant planets, there’s something magical about gazing up at the night sky. Among the celestial wonders, Saturn holds a special place in my heart. As a 5-year-old it was the first object I saw through my Father’s telescope. Its mesmerising rings and its moons have captured the imagination of generations, and witnessing Saturn in Opposition is an experience like no other.
A Brief Encounter with Saturn
The Perfect Time to Observe Saturn
As an amateur astronomer, I often wonder when the best time to observe Saturn is. Unlike its inner neighbours, Saturn is quite distant (1.3 billion kilometres to be exact).
On most nights, it graces the night sky, captivating our attention. However, the real treat comes during the opposition, when Saturn finds itself directly opposite the Sun. During this time, the planet is visible throughout the night, rising around sunset and setting around sunrise.
The interval from one Saturn opposition to the next spans about 378 days, slightly over a year. To witness Saturn’s stunning rings up close, a telescope of over 1000mm focal length is required.
It’s fascinating to note that the angle of the rings changes from year to year, with an exciting event occurring approximately every 15 years when the rings appear edge-on, revealing their slim profile. I can hardly wait for the middle of 2025 when the rings will be edge-on and barely visible.
A Day and a Year on Saturn
Saturn is no slouch when it comes to spinning around its axis. In fact, it’s the second-fastest spinner in our solar system after Jupiter, completing a solar day in roughly ten and a half hours. Its tropical year, on the other hand, lasts about 29 Earth years and 5 Earth months. It’s incredible to think about the vast differences in time scales between Earth and Saturn.
The Moons of Saturn
Saturn’s 82 known natural satellites, or moons, add to its allure. Titan, (pictured to the right) the largest of Saturn’s moons, is particularly captivating. Ranking as the second-largest moon in the entire solar system, Titan boasts a thick atmosphere – a rare feature among astronomical bodies.
What fascinates me the most about Titan is its lakes, seas, and rivers. Surprisingly, these liquid features are not composed of water, as one might expect, but rather liquid methane and ethane. The temperatures on Titan plummet to astonishingly cold levels, reaching around -179 degrees Celsius.
Journeying to Saturn
Curiosity led me to explore the journey of spacecraft that have dared to venture to Saturn’s domain. Spacecraft travelling away from the Sun naturally slow down, making the voyage to Saturn an impressive feat. Gravity assists manoeuvres, utilising flybys of other planets to gain extra speed, which is instrumental in reaching this distant giant.
Pioneer 11 and the Voyager spacecraft relied on Jupiter’s gravitational assistance to reach Saturn, with Voyager 1 accomplishing the journey in a little over three years, significantly faster than Pioneer 11.
The Cassini-Huygens mission took a slightly different route, utilising four gravitational assists—two from Venus, one from Earth, and one from Jupiter—to complete the trip in approximately six and a half years.
What type of equipment do I need?
A telescope with a focal length of over 1000mm is recommended.
Ideally, a telescope like a Saxon Maksutov Astroseeker 127Mak with a focal length of 1500mm will give you a good view of Saturn.
Saxon Astroseeker 127Mak
The diagram to your right shows the size you can expect using the Astroseeker 127Mak with a 10mm eyepiece.
You can make the view of Saturn by using a combination of Barlow lens and higher powered eyepieces.
Celestron Omni Series 2x Barlow Lens
As I bid farewell to Saturn for now, I carry with me the memory of its celestial splendour, eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to witness this extraordinary event. Until then, I’ll continue my journey as a starry-eyed skywatcher, forever humbled by the vastness and mystery of the Universe.