Saturn reaches perigee tonight

Sazerac · 12-17-2002, 03:28 PM

Be scanning the skies this evening for a glimpse of Saturn. This is the closest it's come to Earth (perigee) in 30 years. In addition, the rings are tilted toward the earth, offering an incredible view. If you have binoculars or a telescope, this is a prime viewing period, but even with the naked eye it will be spectacular.

Saturn rises this evening at sunset in the northeast, and sets around sunrise in the northwest, depending on your location. You can find it close to the constellation Orion, in the constellation of Taurus. It will appear as a huge gold "star".

I wonder how many people will be confusing it with the Star of Bethlehem?

Happy stargazing!

Cheers,
-Saz

P.S. In case you miss it, here is a page with a spectacular picture of the 6th planet.

[ 12-17-2002, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: Sazerac ]

Ronn_Bman · 12-17-2002, 03:49 PM

Sounds like a little star gazing is in order for tonight. [img]smile.gif[/img]

LordKathen · 12-17-2002, 04:07 PM

Sweet! Will I be able to see it in the northwest US?

Sir Goulum · 12-17-2002, 06:03 PM

What about Canada?

andrewas · 12-17-2002, 06:20 PM

Its visible now here, except its not because were in a city with too many lights and I can only see 7 stars from orion itself and half a dozen others in the same region and Im not sure where Taurus is anyway. I can probly see saturn as well, but identifying it is hard. And the moon isnt that far away, dosent help matters.

It should be visible most places in the northern hemisphere.

Attalus · 12-17-2002, 06:35 PM

Well, I am out in Podunk, so the sight should be pretty spectacular.

Sazerac · 12-17-2002, 06:39 PM

It should be visible from everywhere in the world except A) Antarctica or B) any place with dense cloud cover.

Cheers,
-Sazerac

Lord Starshadow · 12-17-2002, 06:47 PM

Thanks Saz! I'll have to take a look in a few hours when it's a little bit darker and hopefully a little less cloudy.

antryg · 12-17-2002, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Attalus:
Well, I am out in Podunk, so the sight should be pretty spectacular.

Isn't Podunk between Ennis and Ferris?

Cloudbringer · 12-17-2002, 10:59 PM

Ooooh, glad I won't have to move to Podunk, though!

12-17-2002, 03:28 PM	#1
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 61 Posts: 7,387	Be scanning the skies this evening for a glimpse of Saturn. This is the closest it's come to Earth (perigee) in 30 years. In addition, the rings are tilted toward the earth, offering an incredible view. If you have binoculars or a telescope, this is a prime viewing period, but even with the naked eye it will be spectacular. Saturn rises this evening at sunset in the northeast, and sets around sunrise in the northwest, depending on your location. You can find it close to the constellation Orion, in the constellation of Taurus. It will appear as a huge gold "star". I wonder how many people will be confusing it with the Star of Bethlehem? Happy stargazing! Cheers, -Saz P.S. In case you miss it, here is a page with a spectacular picture of the 6th planet. [ 12-17-2002, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: Sazerac ] __________________ "And all my days are trances, and all my nightly dreams, Are where thy grey eye glances, and where thy footstep gleams, In what ethereal dances, by what eternal streams..."

12-17-2002, 03:49 PM	#2
Ronn_Bman Zartan Join Date: March 11, 2001 Location: North Carolina USA Age: 58 Posts: 5,177	Sounds like a little star gazing is in order for tonight. [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ [img]\"http://home.carolina.rr.com/orthanc/pics/Spinning%20Hammer%20Sig%20Pic.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

12-17-2002, 04:07 PM	#3
LordKathen Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: September 15, 2002 Location: Kennewick, WA Age: 53 Posts: 3,166	Sweet! Will I be able to see it in the northwest US? __________________

12-17-2002, 06:20 PM	#5
andrewas Harper Join Date: October 2, 2001 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 43 Posts: 4,774	Its visible now here, except its not because were in a city with too many lights and I can only see 7 stars from orion itself and half a dozen others in the same region and Im not sure where Taurus is anyway. I can probly see saturn as well, but identifying it is hard. And the moon isnt that far away, dosent help matters. It should be visible most places in the northern hemisphere. __________________ [img]\"http://www.sighost.us/members/Zvijer/andrewas.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

12-17-2002, 06:35 PM	#6
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 76 Posts: 8,167	Well, I am out in Podunk, so the sight should be pretty spectacular. __________________ Even Heroes sometimes fail...

12-17-2002, 06:03 PM	#4
Sir Goulum John Locke Join Date: February 7, 2002 Location: Edmonton, Canada Age: 36 Posts: 8,985	What about Canada?

12-17-2002, 06:39 PM	#7
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 61 Posts: 7,387	It should be visible from everywhere in the world except A) Antarctica or B) any place with dense cloud cover. Cheers, -Sazerac __________________ "And all my days are trances, and all my nightly dreams, Are where thy grey eye glances, and where thy footstep gleams, In what ethereal dances, by what eternal streams..."

12-17-2002, 06:47 PM	#8
Lord Starshadow Quintesson Join Date: October 3, 2002 Location: The plane of non-existence... and Michigan Age: 44 Posts: 1,087	Thanks Saz! I'll have to take a look in a few hours when it's a little bit darker and hopefully a little less cloudy.

12-17-2002, 10:59 PM	#10
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Ooooh, glad I won't have to move to Podunk, though! __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

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