Here is the first Saturn observation. Seeing was better than later when observing Jupiter. Certainly is good to finally see a sharp Planetary image again after viewing Mars this apparition!.
Observation comments: Generally excellent seeing allowed very sharp views. Firstly, i felt the whole colour of the southern hemisphere appears rather bland this apparition, much more so than previos years. It would seem between 1999 and now, the belts of the Planet have become fainter!?. The Polar cap appeared noticeably blue/green in colour, with a rather lighter "top" to it. The SEB appeared dark, and quite broad with darker areas noted. The EB was also seen, and appeared very much as last apparition. The mid southern hemisphere, though seeing excellent didnt really show any very distinct belts, other than two lighter bands across the hemisphere, which were weak, and rather grey in colour.
The rings looked particularly magnificent, and the Cassini Division was easily followed around the ring system. Ring A is now also nicely visible around the whole Planet, and the Shadow of globe on rings currently "cuts a chunck" out of Ring B. Ring A appeared the darker of the rings with a darker steel grey hue, while Ring B appeared a lighter grey shade, darker at its inner edges. Ring C appeared brighter in the W#21 filter. The Keeler Gap was constanly hinted at, but not as clear as previous views of the division, though for the first time glimpsed at both ansa.
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