April 29

Last evening was the first time in which the chill didn’t settle in, and we were able to enjoy 50s well after sunset. It’s a decadent feeling to be outside listening to the spring peepers and watching the stars appear one-by-one, while we stand in the driveway with only light clothing upon us.

The sky was as clear as can be, and apart from a thin layer of clouds on the western horizon, the stars twinkled seemingly close at hand. Jupiter was especially bright, perhaps 30 degrees above the west, and Saturn had just risen over the eastern horizon, which was lightly polluted with the Holden lights but not so that it lessened Saturn’s shine.

We brought the small telescope up to the town fields across from the college, and I set up the scope to view Saturn. The astronomers indicate that Saturn’s inclination just now is tilted so that we have the best view of its polar region, which accentuates its rings as you see them from below and not edge on. Plus, Earth’s orbit is closest now to Saturn (though admittedly, the distance isn’t that profound); perhaps it’s better to express it that Saturn’s orbit is closest to Earth.

The scope didn’t fail us, and we were rewarded with a spectacular view. Saturn was fairly tiny, but its rings showed majestically.

It is a humbling feeling to view such a giant and know that it is so very far away – so much that the light takes over an hour to reach our eyes.