[BAA-ebulletin 00857] Observing opportunity - a close encounter

[Rick]

[BAA-ebulletin 00857] Observing opportunity - a close encounter between the Moon and Saturn
(c) 2015 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/

On June 1 (Monday) the Moon and Saturn come within 2 degrees of each other, making an ideal viewing and imaging opportunity.

From mid-UK the Moon rises around 19:00UT with Saturn rising a few minutes later. Closest approach takes place around this time with Saturn lying south of the Moon and not as stated in the 2015 BAA Handbook Sky Diary (p5) the Moon lying south of Saturn.

By 21:00UT the sky will be darkening and the pair will be 12 degrees up in the south-east. At 23:30UT both lie due south and still very close together, with Saturn now to the west of the Moon. The Moon will not be quite full at this time, this occurs the following day (June 2).

Easily seen in binoculars, this conjunction should also be visible in a short focal length refractor fitted with a modern wide angle eyepiece.

While engrossed in observing Saturn and the Moon, take a few moments to watch the International Space Station pass over. Travelling from west to east it reaches a maximum altitude of 48 degrees at 22:09UT and at magnitude -3.2 will be unmistakable.

If you are finding Saturn a difficult telescopic target at its current low declination just be patient. In 2032 Saturn reaches opposition on Christmas Eve at an altitude of 60 degrees. It?s nice to have something to look forward to!

Stewart Moore
BAA Council