A 15-Year-Old Boy Captures Incredibly Clear Picture of Saturn And Its Iconic Rings Using A Telescope In His Back Garden
A
15-year-old boy, from Seaford, East Sussex, has succeeded in capturing an
awesome picture of Saturn using a telescope in his back garden that several
experienced astronomers would be proud of. Marcus Reed managed to take this
clear image of the gas giant, including its entire rings, using a 102mm
diameter reflector telescope. According to Marcus Reed, he stayed up until 4am,
using an iPhone app called Sky Guide to locate the gas giant planet in the sky.
He
said: “I took the picture at about four in the morning. I had turned on the app
and saw that Saturn was visible, so straight away I put my slippers on and ran
downstairs, setting up my telescope on the back lawn in my pyjamas. I was
pleasantly surprised when I looked back and saw I had such a clear picture -
Saturn is my favourite planet. 'I have been interested in astronomy and
photography for a long time, and I really enjoy it - I use my telescope every
night when it's clear.”
The
Gas Giant Saturn, is the sixth planet from the sun and also the second largest
in the solar system. Saturn has been observed by astronomers in the night's sky
since ancient times. Tom Kerss, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory in
Greenwich, said: “Marcus has done a fantastic job at capturing the view of
Saturn we might see with our eyes using a good beginner’s telescope.
The
familiar rings are clearly seen encircling the gas giant, which as of this
month is rising before the Sun. At the present time one of Saturn’s poles
appears to be covered by its rings, which are more inclined from our
perspective, but in 7 years or so Saturn will once again look as Marcus has
captured it here.”
Absolutely beautiful sight. Very happy for the boy. Must have been an exciting moment for him.
ReplyDeleteThat’s incredible picture of Saturn, his parents must be proud of his achievement.
ReplyDelete