If so... what season is it most visible? And is it a must to use a telescope?
2007-06-22 09:29:05 · 9 answers · asked by Hey 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes, a telescope is needed, but can be seen with relatively low power.
2007-06-22 09:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by Steve C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Saturn's rings are visible in just about any telescope capable of magnifying 25 times or more. Saturn is now getting very close to making its annual disappearance behind the Sun, but still can be seen just to the left of Venus, the bright object in the western sky right after sunset. It won't be back in the evening sky until December.
2007-06-22 21:29:31 · answer #2 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can see them from earth with a very modest consumer grade telescope almost any time Saturn is visible. I can see them with my Tasco refractor telescope that was given to me as a Christmas present back in the mid 1970's (amazingly, it is still in good working order...).
The one exception is when Saturn is oriented such that the edge of the rings are parallel to your viewing angle instead of being tilted so you see some of the top/bottom side of the rings.
2007-06-22 16:35:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i can see the rings in a modest 2 inch department store telescope at 50x, at 100x they are quite nice, i haven't looked at them yet in my 6 inch telescope.
maybe binoculars could see the rings but a telescope is best.
and saturn's orbit doesn't revolve around earth's seasons. you have to get magazines like sky and telescope or astronomy that tell you what planets are up and where they are, or a program like starry night will tell you as well.
2007-06-22 17:09:21 · answer #4 · answered by Tim C 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is quite easy to do this with a good telescope on any clear night that Saturn is in view, it is quite spectacular.
2007-06-24 14:31:42 · answer #5 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Yes, they are visible in a telescope, but sometimes a VERY good pair of binoculars will show them. I have a 6" diameter scope and can get quite a bit of detail.
2007-06-22 16:31:41 · answer #6 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
any of the good telescopes you see in the Discovery Store or at places like Brookestone can show you the rings.
The cost is anywhere from $800 to $2000 for the better ones.
http://www.meade.com/lx90gps/index.html
2007-06-22 16:34:51 · answer #7 · answered by Ian F 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. It is really cool. I saw the rings and Saturn's moons from my friend's telescope at his beach-house in Rockport, Massachussetts. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
2007-06-22 16:45:50 · answer #8 · answered by tracyterry 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the small and inexpensive Meade ETX-70AT telescope, which is perfect for finding objects within our solar system. I can see the planet Saturn and it’s rings clearly and all I can say is “awesome”. It’s a cheap thrill!
2007-06-22 16:56:20 · answer #9 · answered by Sean Ell 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋