For the last year and a half, Saturn’s rings have been edge-on from our perspective here on Earth. This ring-plane crossing happens every 13 to 15 years when Earth passes through the plane of Saturn’s razor-thin rings.
As Saturn continues its 29.4-year orbit around the sun, the tilt shifts and the rings slowly come back into view. They will reach a maximum tilt in 2032.
Saturn’s rings are made almost entirely of ice and dust with a bit of rocky material. Pieces range from microscopic grains to boulders and house-sized chunks.
There are seven prominent sections named alphabetically, with the largest gap, the Cassini Division, separating the A and B rings.
Saturn has 293 moons, with the largest being Titan, which is bigger than the planet Mercury. Titan can be seen through a telescope. Will we see it? I don’t know. Come to our viewing and find out.
Saturn is 784 million miles away from Earth right now. If you can’t make it to view Saturn through our telescopes, look east at dusk for a bright, slightly orange object. Saturn is currently visible all night setting in the west just before dawn. If you are up early, Jupiter also becomes visible after about 3 a.m.
The Pagosa Sidewalk Astronomers are hosting a Saturn-viewing event from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Park near the geothermal domes on Friday, Oct. 16.
If you’ve never seen our “favorite planet” through a telescope, stop by and have a look. Learn what makes Saturn a special planet in our solar system.
We are also partnering with the Ruby Sisson Library to bring you Planets, Popcorn and P.J.s on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will be a fun event for all ages. Registration is required as space is limited. Call the library at (970) 264-2209 to register.
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