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Question
Ton - do you know the last time Saturn crossed the Earth's orbit... thenks Neil
Hi Dr. Neil,
You don't really mean "crossed over our orbit" do you? You mean, when was the last time that Saturn presented it's ring system edge on to our line of sight, don't you? That was on Sept. 4, 2009. Currently they are tilted just a few degrees to the North face, but this will increase to nearly 10 degrees by year's end. In 2017 they will reach their maximum tilt of 27 degrees. Since Saturn takes 29.5 years to circle the sun, we go through a complete cycle of the rings every 29.5 years, with 2 edge on presentations roughly every 14.7 years. The last time was in 1995. We'll now be viewing the north face until the next edge-on presentation in 2025.
Hope this helps, and hope that is what you asked for,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA USA
FOLLOW UP:
For a view of the complete cycle of Saturn and it's rings, see
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mjpowell/Astro/Saturn-Orbit.htm
Saturn is currently at first magnitude (relatively bright starlike object) in western Virgo right now, and will be in Virgo for the next 2-3 years. So once you find it, you'll have it's location for a couple of years. It's currently high in the south as darkness falls now around
10:30 pm daylight time.
Clear Skies,
Tom
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Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
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