Please allow me to introduce fellow AstroTalk member, truly talented artist, and astute
observer of the Night Sky: Sol Robbins. Sol has been an aficionado of both deepsky and planetary
observation since the early 1990's. He is a professional illustrator - so all us more hamfisted sketchers of things celestial don't have to feel particularly challenged by Sol's superb craftsmanship. However, what we should all be inspired by is Sol's ability to see exceedingly faint low contrast detail.
So without further preamble let me give you The Ring Wonder as seen through the eye of a true artist possessed of a superb observing eye.
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Sol Robbins' Ringed Wonder
Sketched Saturn using my 6" refractor. Seeing was very good. Nothing
special rendered in this observation.
Study: Saturn
Date: 01/28/05
Time: 11:40pm
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: 8-9/10p
Magnification: ~400x
Filtration: Chromacor II
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The Ringed Wonder
Finally had good seeing for observing Saturn. The tilt of the rings is a bit different from the last apparition. I saw a little bit more detail than I was able to render.
Anyway, I am always amazed at what my 6" scope is able to show when seeing is good.
This drawing presented some problems for insofar as thin clouds moved in while I was sketching/observing and my paper was a little damp from being outside. Though not my best sketch, the telescopic view was extremely steady.
The SEB does appear a little thicker. It is also 2 separate bands. The EZ's definitely looks thicker with the superimposed C ring appearing thinner.
What got me was that the zones in the polar cap were a bit more subtle and were not as dark or differentiated as I remember them.
The northern end of the disk was rendered, but seemed to appear at the limit of my ability to see. This said I put it in anyway.
Study: Saturn
Date: 11/03/04
Time: 3:15 am
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: 7/10p
Magnification: 400x
Filtration: None
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The Ringed Wonder
Once again I've blessed with excellent seeing. This prompted me to bring out my 6" refractor and 9.6" Newtonian. Saturn held very sharp at 400x in the 6" and 455x in 9.6". I sketched with the 6" since it has motorized drives. Hand tracking the Dob while sketching would have been tough.
I had a second chance to try my new NPC filter and it worked well for Saturn's disk. The rings didn't do well with the filter at aperture/inch magnifications this high.
Of note during this observation is a brightening in the A ring, on the following side, which also broke the Encke Minima. There was also a little bit of darkening on the inner edge of the B ring also on the following side. These features showed in both of my scopes.
Study: Saturn
Date: 02/27/04
Time: 8:30pm
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: 8+/10p
Magnification: 400x
Filtration: Disk Only - Sirius Optics NPC Filter
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The Ringed Wonder
Had good seeing conditions. Additionally, the near 0 degree temperatures have given way to what is now a seemingly balmy 26 degrees.
Anyway, Saturn held sharp at 400x. Of note was a somewhat brighter edge on the inside of the A ring on the preceding, right side.
Study: Saturn
Date: 02/04/04
Time: 11:15pm
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: 7+/10p
Magnification: 400x
Filtration: Rings - Sirius Optics MV-1, Disk - Hydrogen Beta
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Sol Robbins' Ringed Wonder
Of note was a dark condensation on the preceding side, just to the left of center, on the SEB-N. This feature appeared to rotate with Saturn's disk.
What was also interesting was an apparent darkening on the inside ansae of the B ring. I don't know if this was an illusion, but it was apparent more often than not and during the moments of best seeing.
Study: Saturn
Date: 11/22/03
Time: 3:15am
Instrument: 244mm Newtonian Reflector
Seeing: 8/10p
Magnification: ~375x
Filtration: Sirius Optics VFS Settings 0.30,300
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The Ringed Wonder
Had good seeing conditions. Tonight's Saturn observation revealed some blotches on both sides of the B ring. This is the first time I've seen these. Additionally, Saturn's cast shadow has returned. The "dark splotches" over ring B are interesting and may actually represent segments of radial spokes. I have heard of folks observing these features, but I have to admit I was surprised and delighted to have finally seen them for myself. I really didn't know what to
expect or look for.
The moons Dione, Tethys, Enceladus and Rhea also stood out pretty well.
BTW, I neglected to fully draw in the C ring as I was trying to capture details on the disc and other rings.
Study: Saturn
Date: 02/05/03
Time: : 10:15am
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: 8/10p
Magnification: ~365x
Filtration: Sirius Optics MV1@375x, SI Nebula Version@350x
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Sol Robbins' Ringed Wonder
No Commentary
Study: Saturn
Date: 12/29/02
Time: : 10pm
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: 8+/10p
Magnification: 375x
Filtration: Sirius Optics MV-1 & PC-1
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The Ringed Wonder
No Commentary
Study: Saturn
Date: 12/07/02
Time: : 2:15am
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: 8/10p
Magnification: ~325x
Filtration: Sirius Optics MV-1 & Variable Filters
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Sol Robbins' Ringed Wonder
No Commentary
Study: Saturn
Date: 10/06/02
Time: : 4:00am
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: ?/10p
Magnification: 311-466x
Filtration: Sirius Optic PC(Beta), NEB-1 & MV-1
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The Ringed Wonder
No Commentary
Study: Saturn
Date: 09/20/02
Time: : ?am/pm
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: ?/10p
Magnification: ~350x
Filtration: Sirius Optic PC-1 & MV-1
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Sol Robbins' Ringed Wonder
No Commentary
Study: Saturn
Date: 09/18/02
Time: : 4:00am
Instrument: 150mm Semi-APO Refractor
Seeing: ?/10p
Magnification: 311-400x
Filtration: None
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