I made an observation of Saturn under good seeing conditions (6-7/10).
Much detail was noted over the globe as well as the rings as evident in
my observation. I welcome any comments on my observation.

Date (U.T.): March 29, 2004
Time (U.T.): 01:30
L1 325.2, L2 226.4. L3 092.3
Instrument: 9-inch (23-cm) F/13.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain
Magnification: 258x and 388x
Seeing (1-10): 6-7 (moments of 8-9), Antoniadi (I-V): II
Transparency (1-6): 5-6

Notes:
South Polar Region (SPR): Appears dusky to dull (4-5/10) with a central
dark (3/10) condensation surrounded by a shaded (6/10) inner collar.
South Temperate Band (STB): Appears dull (5/10) and wide with a slight
greenish tinge surrounding the SPR.
South Tropical (or Temperate) Zone (STZ): Appears shaded (6/10) and
broad without detail visible within.
South Equatorial Belt (SEB): Appears dark to dusky (3-4/10) and broad
with dark (3/10) condensations noted along the northern and southern
borders.
Equatorial Zone (EZ): Appears bright (7/10) with a thin, dull (5/10)
band across the center.

Ring A: Appears shaded (6/10) with the Encke division (or minima)
visible over the entire aspect of the ring.
Ring B: Appears bright (7/10) over it's outer half and dusky to dull
(4-5/10) over it's inner half.
Ring C: Appears shaded (6/10) over the inner ansae and dull (5/10)
across the EZ.
The best of luck to you and your family in your own imaging of Saturn.
[[Carlos E. Hernandez  South Florida U.S.A ]]

ALPO-Japan Latest Saturn Section