Saturn's rings " tilted 15 degrees"

Hi, I thought the rings were narrow last March when this image was captured but now when I look back it's quite obvious that they really weren't. It's funny how much perception changes with time! During Saturn's current apparition those magnificent rings are only open half as wide (about 8 degrees), now that's narrow... I think? We should finally be able to observe and image some good detail in its northern hemisphere, I wonder if there are any Saturnian surprises lurking this season? The Ringed Planet is already perfectly positioned for viewing, high up in the southern sky before sunrise. In this image if you look just left of Saturn's south pole you will find the moon "Tethys", its surface is almost entirely composed of water ice, I wonder what that tastes like? Cheers, Dan 8)

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That is a really nice picture Dan! Gives me the push to get up early and observe!

Thanks
Bill

That, sir, is an incredible image of Saturn! Kudos.

> "Tethys", its surface is almost entirely composed of
> water ice, I wonder what that tastes like?

tastes like chicken!

Wow Dan, I'm glad you went back to get that one. Stunning! That was a good night!

Jason H.

Dan Petersen said:

Hi, I thought the rings were narrow last March when this image was captured but now when I look back it's quite obvious that they really weren't. It's funny how much perception changes with time! During Saturn's current apparition those magnificent rings are only open half as wide (about 8 degrees), now that's narrow... I think? We should finally be able to observe and image some good detail in its northern hemisphere, I wonder if there are any Saturnian surprises lurking this season? The Ringed Planet is already perfectly positioned for viewing, high up in the southern sky before sunrise. In this image if you look just left of Saturn's south pole you will find the moon "Tethys", its surface is almost entirely composed of water ice, I wonder what that tastes like? Cheers, Dan 8)