SATURN 2026

 This year, Saturn will have a peak altitude of  around 80deg here in Cebu.

These images were taken using a Celestron  C14  mounted on an Astrophysics AP900GTO mount and a QHY5III585M and the QHY5III585C  camera. RGB is done using a set of Chroma Technology RGB filters on a Starlight Xpress Motorized filter wheel.  Methane band images are done using a Chroma Methane Band filter (889nm  18nm bandpass).   Amplification is done using an Astrophysics Convertible Barlow working at 2.5X.  I use an Prima Luce ESATTO 2 focuser.

Image acquisition was done using  Torsten Edelmann's Firecapture 2.7 software.  All images are NORTH UP!    Processing was done using AutoStakkert! and Registax.

For info on Saturn's belts and zones please click this link.

You can also see my past images of Saturn at the ALPO Japan Kansai Branch site.
SATURN 2007 SATURN 2010 SATURN 2013 SATURN 2016 SATURN 2019
SATURN 2008 SATURN 2011 SATURN 2014 SATURN 2017 SATURN 2020
SATURN 2009 SATURN 2012 SATURN 2015 SATURN 2018 SATURN 2021
SATURN 2022 SATURN 2023 SATURN 2024 SATURN 2025  

 

July 3, 2026

Conditions were perfect today.  This is my first image of Saturn this season.  This image was captured using a QHY5III585M camera.

Two storms are visible in this image.  The first is a white spot on the left side of the SEB.  THe second in located also the left at -54N.  Saturn's rings are opening up and the Encke minima is very well resolved.