FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Saturn in twilight on Thursday evening

["Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>]

Howdy all;

I recognized many years ago that there was a short period in twilight =
when
the seeing was excellent and if there was a bright planet near the =
zenith
some good views could be had during that window of time.

So, I held the door open with a chair and rolled back the roof of the
observatory to let it cool off once the ball of the Sun had gone over =
the
horizon.  The temperature in Phoenix was all the way down to 97 degrees =
F, a
nice evening for observing in shorts and a T shirt.

Once I saw several first magnitude stars to align the Nexstar 8 and get
ready to track the ringed planet.  Once I had it in a low power field, I =
saw
that it was indeed a night with stable air and raised the power to 267X =
with
a 7.5mm Lanthanum eyepiece.  Cassini's division was easy and the rings =
were
their usual magnificent self.  There was (is) a small dark marking in =
the
south equatorial belt, it is subtle but there is an elongated grey area
within that belt wrapping around the ball of Saturn.  A light blue =
filter
does enhance its contrast somewhat.

Rhea and Hyperion at further from the bright planet and so are the first =
of
be seen as it starts getting darker.  After a little dark adaptation, =
Dione
and Tethys appear, in closer to the rings.  I am certain that Titan is
around, I didn't make the map from Sky Map Pro wide enough to find it.

So, I sat and just took in the view for 5 minutes or so after writing a =
few
notes and then returned to the eyepiece.  I felt a cool breeze and even
though I enjoyed the outdoor air conditioning, I could watch as the =
seeing
degraded to the usual mediocre view I see on most nights.

But, it was worth it....Saturn always is. =20

In the movie "Citizen Kane", the aging Kane lies on his death bed
remembering a happy time and speaks "Rosebud".  I think I will probably
whisper "Saturn".

Clear Skies to us all;

Steve Coe

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