Saturn:  Our Most Beautiful Planet

Did you know that Saturn is the furthest of the planets that we can easily see with our unaided eye?  Have you heard that, while Saturn is many times larger and heavier than Earth, it is so light for its size that it would float on water?  Are you aware that, while humans have sent nearly 50 missions to Mars, we have sent only FOUR missions to Saturn—and only one of those stayed in orbit?  What makes travel to Saturn so difficult?  How much can we really know about it?  And what are the planets and constellations doing in our skies in August?  Are you ready for the big meteor shower this month?  Join us via Zoom to learn more!

Please register to receive the Zoom login. You may register up to the presentation start time or even during the meeting to join us.

https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dlTR_DUmRMC_fO3hKA0CJQ

Join us to discover how much you can learn about Saturn just by observing with your unaided eye.  We will also summarize the history of human studies of Saturn, going back to the first telescopic observations through images obtained with the largest telescopes, and ending with what we’ve learned with modern spacecraft.  You will learn about Saturn’s structure, composition, magnetic field, winds, the crazy polar “Hexagon, ” and—of course—those iconic rings.

And, as always, we will show you how to find the planets and other cool things that are in the sky this month and into early August.  Have you noticed the Summer Triangle high in the sky?  Have you learned how to find other seasonal stars and constellations, like brilliant Vega in Lyra, the Northern Crown, red Antares in Scorpius, the “Serpent Bearer” holding his serpent, and the bright “Teapot” of Sagittarius?  Have you seen Venus rising higher and brighter in the evening sky after sunset?   Did you know that both Saturn and Jupiter are at peak brightness this month?  We will help you find all of these things for yourself.

Please join our mailing list to receive notices about upcoming Astronomy Night presentations and other events at MSU St. Andrews.

Attention students: MSU St. Andrews participates in the Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Passport program. You may attend an event or workshop and log it as a STEM experience on your passport!

Image: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/2490/saturns-rings-shine-in-hubble-portrait/

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. Accommodation for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting (517) 432-4499 by Monday, August 2, 2021. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Programming is made possible through the support of several local organizations: the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, and the Dow Chemical Company Foundation.