Amateur Astronomy with Binoculars and a Small Telescope

April 13, 2010 April 30, 2010

Photorealistic Image in Stellarium

Object: Saturn

Site: Front Yard

Seeing: Better than Average

Transparency: 4 (out of 5 (best))

Type: Solar System Object

Size: 45″

Magnitude: 1.00

Constellation: Virgo

Magnification: 10x

FOV: 4.8 degrees

Observing Time: 9:45 pm – 9:55 pm

Notes: Saturn, b VIR and Zavijava making a distinctive right triangle.  At first glance I mistook Saturn for a bright star! This trio was seen under the heels of Leo the Lion.  Saturn is in the constellation Virgo now, and it was special to see it in a unique geometric formation as seen here (Pythagoras would have been pleased =D). Saturn doesn’t reveal much in the way of planetary features in binoculars.  In fact, it is easy to mistake it for a star, even through binoculars– like I did. To differentiate, the creamy yellowish “star” will not twinkle, because of a light “disk” coming at your eyes. A pinpoint source of light is prone to atmospheric turbulences, thus distorting its path, and causing light from real stars to twinkle.  To see the glorious rings, and enjoy the spectacle, a telescope is needed.  A littering of fainter stars dot the background.  Virgo is the only female form in the Zodiac, and has been associated in the past as the “Wheat Goddess” [http://bit.ly/alrwMd].  Primarily composed of 12 bright stars (of course, fainter ones permeate the whole constellation), Virgo is found behind Leo, and below Bootes, another constellation.  One of the brightest stars in Virgo is called Spica.  It is easy to find, and serves as a distinctive star of spring.  To find it, first find the Big Dipper.  Tracing along its curved handle, follow the curve, extrapolating until you hit a bright reddish star.  This is Arcturus, the brightest star in Bootes. Now, look down from Arcturus, and you should see another bright, yellowish star; Spica.  To help you remember, “Arc to Arcturus, and Speed on to Spica”.  This useful phrase isn’t my invention, rather it has been passed along between budding amateur astronomers for many years.