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GJim an hour ago

You really need to ask?

Lets just say there is no need for a compass!

voidUpdate an hour ago | parent [-]

Yes, I really need to ask. How does one locate Saturn in the night sky without an electronic aid?

alnwlsn 38 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

Not who you're replying to, but I did this just the other day.

First thing to know is what there is even to look at. If you don't know anything, look here:

https://www.heavens-above.com/skychart2.aspx

You'll get a better result if you put in your actual location, but whatever. Looks like Saturn is visible this time of year, and will be in the east around midnight. You can check this right now and it'll be about right for the next few weeks. You can step the time forward and see what how the planets move over time.

If you don't do the above steps, you could probably make a guess, as the planets are the brightest objects in the sky, easily seen by eye.

Then you point your telescope at it. I found mine in the trash and it didn't come with the spotting scope, so I kind of just have to guess where to point it. Use your widest angle lens, and move the scope around until you see something bright go by. You're close! Then you center the bright thing in the center of the view, and after the scope stops shaking because it's on a cheap tripod, you can see a very tiny Saturn, including the rings. Then you swap the lens for a more zoomed in one to see it better. The rotation of the earth means it will quickly drift out of view, so you have to constantly adjust your scope every minute or so to keep it in frame, until I fix the motor that came with my equatorial mount which is supposed to do this part for you.

GJim an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

> How does one locate Saturn in the night sky without an electronic aid?

Seriously?

You mean that _really_ bright star that is out of place on your constellation map / planisphere?

It's a planet.

Look at it and see which one it is. (BTW: Look at it a few nights later as it moves to work out its trajectory. Congratulations, you can now identify which planet it is anytime, no telescope needed.)

firmretention an hour ago | parent [-]

SERIOUSLY?! You'd be surprised how few people know you can easily spot planets with the naked eye, in addition to many other little interesting things in life. You react as if he didn't know how to his shoes.