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Saturn: Towards a gradual closure of the rings, MAILLARD

Saturn: Towards a gradual closure of the rings

Acquisition type: Lucky imaging
Saturn: Towards a gradual closure of the rings, MAILLARD

Saturn: Towards a gradual closure of the rings

Acquisition type: Lucky imaging

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Description

Saturn's period of revolution (the duration of its journey around the Sun) lasts just under 30 years. 
The relative positions of Saturn, Earth and the Sun mean that the inclination of the rings allows us to alternately observe the northern and southern hemispheres of the planet.

The remarkable positions (about every 14-15 years), are the maximum opening of the rings and the closing phase that leaves them apparent as a line barring the planet. 

The previous maximum opening of the rings with vision of the Northern Hemisphere dates back to 2017. Since then, we have witnessed a gradual closure of the rings, the appearance in 2020 of the South Pole, to arrive in 2024 at an aspect close to that of 2010 (Version B).
As seen in this image, the satellites are then aligned with the plane of Saturn's equator. 

The following years will again see the opening rings with vision of the Southern Hemisphere until 2032. 

I found it interesting to present a GIF retrieved from Wikipedia that allows you to better understand this movement in « Spinning top » (Version C).

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Revisions

  • Final
    Saturn: Towards a gradual closure of the rings, MAILLARD
    Original
  • Saturn: Towards a gradual closure of the rings, MAILLARD
    B
  • Saturn: Towards a gradual closure of the rings, MAILLARD
    C

C

Description: Simulation of saturn's appearance from Earth to opposition during an orbit of Saturn (from 2001 to 2029 - Wikipedia).

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Saturn: Towards a gradual closure of the rings, MAILLARD