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Remarkable pictures of Saturn and its moons have been returned in
the last 2½ years from the Cassini spacecraft, which also carried the
Huygens spacecraft that successfully landed on Saturn's moon, Titan.
This month Saturn is ideally placed for observation, high above the
northern horizon and close to the sickle-shaped asterism in Leo.
Saturn shines with a more steady light than the distant stars and is
distinctly yellow in colour. To the eye, it is a bright point of light
but a small telescope reveals its wonderful rings and Titan. Many
consider it the most beautiful sight in the night sky. If you have a
telescope - or know someone who has one - this is an opportunity not
to be missed.
In the north-west, planet Venus (very bright) sets early and Jupiter
is rising in the East.
Orion is above the western horizon with bright star Sirius (in the
constellation of Canis Major) above it. Very high in the south-east
the Southern Cross is climbing, with the Pointer stars below it.
The Moon is in the evening sky until Apr 5 and after Apr 18.
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