Jupiter Tonight

[niallk]

Yes it's a pity about the max altitude - especially with the rings so open.

Last year though I took a chance one night, and got the best views ever that I've had of Saturn and Mars ... Maybe 1deg higher in the sky or so than this year.  Saturn's rings were distinctly different colours, Cassini div clear and sharp, multi tonal banding on the planet, and the hexagon region clearly distinguishable as a darker polar cap.  This was in twilight - not properly dark skies... Haven't yet had a go at Saturn this year, but plan too soon: last year showed me that it is always worth a shot - might catch a lucky night The detail on Mars was beautiful that night too - It was reasonably close to Saturn as I recall.