I have attached an observation of Saturn made on September 19, 2002 (08:30
U.T.) on the date of the occultation of the star (TYC 1324-02107-1, mag.
10.1). I was clouded out for the ingress of the star and it cleared up for
me just after 4AM. I was unable to observe the star as it traversed behind
the ring. I was able to produce what I believe to be my finest observation
of Saturn to date using my new custom 9" F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain. This is
the finest high-resolution instrument I have ever owned. The following is
the data for the observation;

Date (U.T.): September 19, 2002
Time (U.T.): 08:30
L1 105.4, L2 348.3, L3 165.6
B=-26.3, B'=-26.7
Instrument: Custom 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 248x and 344x
Filters: None
Seeing (1-10): 5-6 (moments of 7), Antoniadi (I-V): III-II

Notes:
Globe:
South Polar Region (SPR): Appeared dusky (4/10) with a dark (3/10)
condensation over the south pole (also noted in images obtained by other
observers).
South Temperate Zone (STZ): Appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10) with a dusky
(4/10) patch over the preceding half.
South Temperate Belt (STB): Appeared dull (5/10) and incomplete over it's
following half.
South Tropical Zone (STrZ): Appeared bright (7/10) without any other detail
visible within it.
South Equatorial Belt (SEB): Appeared dark (3/10) and separated by a thin,
bright (7/10) zone. The southern component (SEB-S) was wider and two dusky
(4/10) projections were noted along it's southern-preceding border (Sp).
Equatorial Zone (EZ): Appeared very bright (8/10) with dull (5/10),
band-like fragments over the equator (following half).

Rings:
Ring A: Appeared dull (5/10) with Encke's minima (not division) noted
throughout.
Ring B: Appeared shaded to bright (6-7/10), but no other detail noed within
it.
Ring C (Crepe): Appeared dusky (4/10) with what appeared to be dark (3/10)
"spokes" over the preceding ansa (noted during brief moments of better
seeing).

Satellites:
Dione: Noted south of globe as distant (outermost) satellite (mag 10.2)
Tethys: Noted south-following the globe as inner satellite (mag 10.3)

I hope that you enjoy this observation. Please let me know what you think of
it. My best to you and your family.

Regards,
Carlos E. Hernandez
[South Florida U.S.A Carlos E. Hernandez]

ALPO-Japan Latest　Saturn Section