Have you ever seen a moon shadow move across Saturn's rings?

That was pretty cool. I was really into space as a kid, and Saturn was always my favorite planet because of its rings. It’s almost impossible to wrap my mind around how big and vast outer space is, and for some reason, I find that incredibly fascinating.

I love astrophysics, but I’m not an active astonomer with a telescope. The question reminds me of Star Trek Voyager’s shadow hovering above a giant planet’s ring. Does the real thing look similar, Benny?

Cool beans.

I keep searching for my Y/N buttons!!

@mattbrowne You can’t see moons going across the rings with a backyard telescope. That picture was taken by Cassini which, of course, is right there. In a backyard telescope it looks more like this: http://media.skyandtelescope.com/images/Saturn-combo_l.jpg

Benny——can you REALLY see Saturn that clearly with a back yard telescope????

@DutchCat Well, that’s an astrophotograph, obviously, on a very clear night. But yes, on a really REALLY clear night you can see Saturn that well. It’s not that big, though. Those pictures are magnified. I’ll see if I can find a more realistic one for you.

@DutchCat Here is a series of pictures taken from the observatory of a friend of mine. His telescopes are larger and his equipment is better. But I’ve been to his house and seen this myself. http://home.comcast.net/~jscala2/saturn_1998_2006.htm

@Benny – Okay, well, I thought maybe you’ve got access to larger telescopes as well. Just curious, could we see a moon shadow with the VLT?

@mattbrowne Hmm…good question. I’m not sure. Here’s a moon transit on Saturn as taken from Hubbell, and I see moon transits on Jupiter on my backyard telescope on occasion.
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2009/12/

@Benny – Awesome picture. Thanks for sharing!

I’m getting a good telescope asap….!!

@DutchCat Whoa! The telescope in these pictures cost about $20,000—and that’s just the telescope. The mount and imaging equipment more than doubles that cost.

With a good cheap backyard telescope you’ll definately see Saturn’s rings, and you might even see the Cassini Division, but it certainly won’t be THAT clear. Also, before you get a telescope, be SURE to talk to me first.

@Benny Yes doctor! Since I won’t be able to go back to wis.dm to find that thread where you guys discussed that…...

I’m being followed by a moonshadow…And if I ever lose my eye…I won’t have to cry….no more