Saturn Opposition: June 15, 2017

Saturn will be visible all night in the sky on the 15th as it rises when the sun sets (hence it is opposite the sun). Now is a good time to revisit an essay I wrote a while back about this visually appealing planet.

I’ve found that first-time views of Saturn through a telescope typically elicit gasps of delight followed by inquisitive questioning.

Saturn’s startling beauty can open the door to wonders and knowledge about the universe that can inspire a love and appreciation of all the arts, sciences, and history.

Understanding something of the vastness and nature of the universe and our unique position as the only species possessing such knowledge suggests we commit to fostering the best in us: love, kindness, respect for learning and for all the amazing life-forms we’re so fortunate to share on this wonderful planet.

So let’s use Saturn as a means to enrich our future and help preserve our earthly paradise.

Spread the word to change Saturday to Saturnday through all media and contacts, in every social venue, to start dialogues that can open the minds and hearts of our earthling friends.  Caring for our precious planet and it’s lucky inhabitants, will make future generations proud of our time here.

Saturnday can change the world with your help !

– Al (10715) Nagler

Good views of the planet can be had with our Tele Vue Nagler 6-3mm Planetary Zoom (mobile site). I designed this as a superior “planetary” eyepiece that gives the observer the highest possible useful magnification on a given night. There were other aspects of equal importance and only the combination of all would satisfy our ethos in creating a “planetary” eyepiece: full field sharpness for any speed telescope, high contrast and transmission for natural color rendition, low scatter, and comfortable eye-relief.

A convenient way to show-off the planet with a gathering of people is to employ our FoneMate™ smartphone adapter (mobile site). It connects your phone to our Dioptrx™ compatible Tele Vue eyepieces (see Eyepiece Specs chart). Your camera-app then displays the image on your screen for all to see.

To increase the power of your favorite eyepiece, or for serious planetary imaging though your scope, consider our Powermate™ amplifiers (mobile site). They increase the focal length of your scope with freedom from aberrations, greater magnification potential, and compact size. Powermate T-Ring Adapters fit on the Powermate lens assemblies to allow attachment of your camera’s T-Ring or other T-threaded imaging accessory

More Info

• Nagler 3-6 Zoom Planetary Eyepiece (mobile site)
• FoneMate™ smartphone adapter (mobile site)
• Powermate™ photo/visual amplifiers (mobile site)
• Printable version of Saturnday essay