Saturn to shine bright over Ireland as planet reaches closest point in 15 years
This Jan. 2, 2010 image made available by NASA shows the planet Saturn, as seen from the Cassini spacecraft. Picture: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute via AP
Irish stargazers are in for a treat this weekend as Saturn reaches its closest point to Earth, creating a spectacle visible to the naked eye.
According to Astronomy Ireland, the huge ringed planet will appear in Irish skies on Saturday night as a “bright star.”
In a sight that occurs only about once every 15 years, the planet's rings this year are “almost edge-on.”
While the phenomenon is visible without equipment, the best view will be through a large telescope.
Therefore, Astronomy Ireland is setting up giant telescopes to show the planet up close and “in all its glory.”
"Anyone seeing this through a big telescope will get an extremely rare view," Astronomy Ireland editor David Moore said.
"Without a doubt, Saturn is the most incredible object we ever show the general public in our giant telescopes.
"They transform a bright 'dot' in the sky with the naked eye to a huge globe with cloud belts and rings.
"Plus we can see up to six of its moons which are far too faint to see with the naked eye, but the powerful telescopes can pick them up easily.
"Probably less than one in a million people on Earth have ever seen Saturn, its rings and its moons up close like this," said Mr Moore.
Meanwhile, the smaller but brighter planet Venus will pass behind the moon on Friday just after noon.
According to Mr Moore, "you can see this in broad daylight even with just your eyes."
He advised standing in the shadow of a building to block the sun from shining directly into your eyes.
"Then look about twice your hand-span at arm's length to the right of the sun. You should then be able to see the moon with just your eyes. To the left edge of the moon you should then be able to see Venus.
"From around 12:40pm to 12:45pm, depending on where you are in Ireland, Venus will fade over the course of 30 seconds as the edge of the moon slowly covers it.
"Between 2pm and 2:05pm Venus will then reappear at the right-hand edge of the moon.
"I've never seen this in all my decades looking at the sky, so I am really hoping for clear skies and I want everyone in Ireland to watch," Mr Moore concluded.
