Ring Geometry

Saturn's Ring System at Opposition as imaged from the Jodrell Plank Observatory 2012 - 2017

"Saturn takes about 29½ years to orbit the Sun and over time we view the rings from different angles.  In 2017, the ring system is  wide open as seen from Earth and Saturn's Northern hemisphere is tipped in our direction. The angle of Saturn's rings as imaged from the Earth varies year on year depending upon the specific orbital geometry of the two planets.

The last time the rings were wide open was in 2002-3, when Saturn's Southern hemisphere was tipped in our direction. The rings then began to close, showing an increasingly narrow aspect, with Saturn becoming rather dimmer at each successive opposition (ie when Saturn is at its closest point to the Earth). The rings last appeared edge-on in September 2009, when the Earth passed through the plane of Saturn's Rings. I can well remember the rather odd image visible in 2009, as I saw the rings edge on for the first time through an eyepiece and the 127mm Meade Refractor. The Northern face of the rings came into view during the latter part of 2009, as they slowly began to provide a less oblique view as seen from Earth. 

In the year 2025, the rings will again appear edge-on as seen from Earth.  After that, we’ll begin to see the south side of Saturn’s rings, which will increase to a maximum inclination of 27 degrees by May, 2032.  I hoped to be alive and well enough to see this once again!

The above image is a composite  of six images taken at opposition each year from 2012. The quality- clarity of each image varies from year to year depending upon - 

•  Sky transparency and air quality
•  Light pollution
•  The height of Saturn above the horizon - 'Declination'
•  Improvements in technology (telescope- camera - imaging software)
•  Improvements in digital imagery manipulation.

To paraphase the late and great Fred Zwicky - Saturn is a 360 degree Beauty - A beauty which ever way you look at it! "
  Kurt Thrust - current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory