Saturn's belts-fainter?

Hi,

Have Saturn's belts gotten more difficult to see over the last few months or
is it me (or my scope)?

Dan

They are slowly moving to the point where we will see them as a line not as
full belts at all, this happens every few years and we're heading for that
time now.


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heavens.


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"dan&lisa" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Have Saturn's belts gotten more difficult to see over the last few months
or is it me (or my scope)?

Dan

"Starlord" wrote in
:

They are slowly moving to the point where we will see them as a line not
as full belts at all, this happens every few years and we're heading for
that time now.



http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030405.html

VicXnews wrote:
"Starlord" wrote in
:

They are slowly moving to the point where we will see them as a line not
as full belts at all, this happens every few years and we're heading for
that time now.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030405.html

Belt = rings ?


--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools: http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html
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To reply take out your eye

Starlord wrote:
They are slowly moving to the point where we will see them as a line not as
full belts at all, this happens every few years and we're heading for that
time now.

Dennis, he's talking about the cloud belts, not the rings.

Hey Chris, talk about confirming your point about confusing bands and
belts!

--
Brian Tung
The Astronomy Corner at http://astro.isi.edu/
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Starlord wrote:

They are slowly moving to the point where we will see them as a line not as
full belts at all, this happens every few years and we're heading for that
time now.

--
There are those who believe that life here, began out there, far across the
universe, with tribes of humans, who may have been the forefathers of the
Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. Some believe that they may yet be
brothers of man, who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the
heavens.


BELTS! Not golashiym!


The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Sidewalk Astronomy
www.sidewalkastronomy.info
The Church of Eternity
http://home.inreach.com/starlord/church/Eternity.html
AD World
http://www.adworld.netfirms.com/

"dan&lisa" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Have Saturn's belts gotten more difficult to see over the last few months
or is it me (or my scope)?

Dan

By belts I meant cloud belts.


"Greg Crinklaw" wrote in message
...


Belt = rings ?

dan&lisa wrote:
By belts I meant cloud belts.

I doubt they have faded significantly. But they are low contrast
features and their visibility is very dependent on your local seeing
conditions. I suspect you just had some really steady nights before.

Clear skies,
Greg

--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools: http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html
Observing: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Comets: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/comets.html

To reply take out your eye

On 22 Apr, 02:10, "dan&lisa" wrote:
Hi,

Have Saturn's belts gotten more difficult to see over the last few months or
is it me (or my scope)?

Dan

Slightly fainter than the previous apparitions, yes, or, to put it
better, they have less contrast. The EZ and the NEBs are quite easy as
is the polar hood. Slightly more difficult is the SEBn. During the
current apparition Saturn has been very very quite, so far anyhow...

Andrea T.

As Andrea pointed out, they are somewhat fainter this year but the seeing
has played a role. I had decent seeing last night and had an easier time
making them out.

Thanks to everyone who responded.

Dan

"Greg Crinklaw" wrote in message
...
dan&lisa wrote:
By belts I meant cloud belts.

I doubt they have faded significantly. But they are low contrast features
and their visibility is very dependent on your local seeing conditions. I
suspect you just had some really steady nights before.

Clear skies,
Greg