Author: mikicoma

Date of Observation: 7 August 2025

Location: Spilamberto, Italy

Instrument:

Telescope: Sky-Watcher 200/800 Newtonian Reflector (200 mm aperture, 800 mm focal length, f/4)

Barlow: 3× (effective focal length 2400 mm, f/12)
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro equatorial mount
Camera: ZWO ASI662MC color planetary camera
Control/Acquisition: ZWO ASIAIR Plus
Accessories: No coma corrector used for planetary imaging

1. Introduction

Saturn remains one of the most captivating targets in planetary observation due to its prominent ring system and seasonal variations in appearance. In mid-2025, the planet’s rings present at a shallow tilt to Earth, approaching the predicted ring-plane crossing later in the year.

On 7 August 2025, an observation from Spilamberto, Italy, recorded Saturn using a fast Newtonian telescope paired with a high-speed CMOS planetary camera and a 3× Barlow lens to optimize image scale.

2. Observational Conditions

Atmospheric seeing appeared moderate, limiting resolution despite good optical and imaging equipment. Transparency was sufficient for planetary observation, and the use of a 3× Barlow increased the image scale to approximately f/12 — close to ideal for sampling with the ASI662MC.

The image appears to be based on a single or minimally processed frame rather than a stacked sequence, resulting in visible softness and reduced fine detail.

3. Results and Feature Identification

3.1 Planetary Disk

Shape: Nearly circular, indicating minimal foreshortening at the time of observation.

Coloration: Dominated by yellow-beige tones of the ammonia cloud layer.
Atmospheric detail: No discrete storm systems or clear banding resolved at this scale.

3.2 Ring System

Inclination: Shallow, consistent with late-season geometry approaching ring-plane crossing.

Structure: A and B rings visible as a unified structure. Slight brightness change possibly indicating the Cassini Division, though not sharply resolved.

3.3 Orientation

The north pole is tilted toward the upper right in the image, consistent with Saturn’s seasonal alignment in August 2025.

4. Discussion

The configuration used here is capable of far higher detail than shown in the raw capture. For optimal planetary results:

Video Capture & Stacking – Record several thousand frames and stack the sharpest 10–20% to freeze moments of good seeing.
Wavelet Sharpening – Use RegiStax or Astrosurface to enhance subtle ring and atmospheric features.
Collimation – At f/4 native, precise collimation is essential to ensure sharp f/12 performance after the Barlow.
Atmospheric Timing – Capture near the planet’s meridian passage to minimize atmospheric dispersion.

5. Conclusion

Post processed photo:

This observation successfully captures Saturn’s disk and ring system at a time of reduced inclination, serving as a visual record from Spilamberto during the 2025 ring-plane crossing season.

The use of a 3× Barlow was appropriate for the camera and optical system, enabling an image scale suitable for high-resolution planetary work. With stacking and post-processing, this setup can reveal the Cassini Division, ring shadows, and atmospheric banding in much greater clarity.

Observational Report: Telescopic Imaging of Saturn and Ring System