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2025 April

The first observation of this apparition was made by Andy Casely on April 12 followed by an observation by Trevor Barry on April 15 and 22.

These early observations generally taken with IR filters (>642 or 685nm ) and showed Two major dark belts , a bright EZ and the shadow of the rings onto the globe.

The latitudes of these two dark belts are compatible with the latitudes of the NEB(S) and SEB(N) based on provisional latitude measurements.

Solar conjunction was on 2025 March 12. Eleven days later on March 23 at 16:99 UT, the Earth passed through Saturn’s ring plane. The Sun would pass through the ring plane, on May 6, moving north to south. During the period between the two ring plane crossings, the south face of the rings was presented to the Earth; unilluminated by the Sun, but faintly illuminated by light reflected from Saturn, The rings would therefore very difficult to detect.
The rings were not visible in images with exposures specifically for the planet. However high contrast enhanced images taken by both observers revealed the very faint south face of the rings (see below).

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Trevor observed a transit of Tethys and its shadow on April 15. He also observed a small spot in the EZ(S) on April 22.

2025 May

During May, observations have been received from Trevor Barry on May 2, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 29 and 30; Andy Casely on May 3, 8, and 9 and 12, Gregory T. Shanos on May 15 and 31, and Peter Tickner on May 14.

On May 8, Trevor imaged a bright spot at a high southern latitude. A similar object was observed during the previous apparition and it is possible that these may be identical. This will be checked if there are further observations of this object. On May 12 and 20, Trevor also imaged some features both light and dark in the EZ(S) – both with IR and methane filters. Some small scale features were detected via animations of several images taken over a period of time. Features were detected by their movement with the rotation of the planet.

The Sun passed through the ring plane on May 6, after which the south face of the rings was illuminated by the Sun. Andy was able to image the planet on May 6, but the rings only appeared in the highly enhanced images. The rings were only visible in an enhanced image taken by Trevor on May 8 and not detected in Peter’s unenhanced image taken on May 14. However they were faintly visible in Trevor’s images exposed for the planet on May 12 and subsequently became easier to detect in such images as the month progressed. The Cassini division was just visible in the extremes of each ring in images taken by Trevor on May 30. Alsothe shadow of the globe onto the rings became easier to detect towards the end of the month.

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There have been some interesting observations involving the satellites.

On May 19, Trevor observed a transit of Tethys and its shadow.
A shadow transit of Titan occurred on May 15 between 09:34 and 15:42 UT. The early stages of this event were observed by Greg Shanos between 10:04 and 10:25 UT. Greg also managed to observe part of the shadow transit which occurred in May 31 between 08:49 and 14:50. His observations were made through cloud.

On May 3 at 19:44 UT, Andy Casely imaged the planet and a faint object was detected p. the rings. The position of this object was a very good match (within one pixel) to the predicted position of satellite Epimetheus derived using the NASA Horizons and Planetary Data System. Similarly, on May 9 at 19:52 UT, Andy imaged a faint object f. the rings close to Enceladus. The position of this object was a very close match to satellite Janus, again the NASA Horizons and Planetary Data System.

2025 June

During June, observations have been received from Trevor Barry on June 17, 20 25 and 28; Gregory T. Shanos on June 16; and Peter Tickner on June 12, 20 and 30.

The rings were showing up in exposures for the planet. Several small scale features were detected. A light oval was again detected at at latitude of approximately 50 degrees south – see below.

On June 16, Greg Shanos was able to observe another transit of Titan’s shadow. He was able to observe from 08:18.8 until 08:59.5 through thickening cloud. On June 25 Trevor observed a transit of Dione where the satellite was visible with a Methane filter.

2025 July

During July, observations have been received from Paul Abel on July 15, Frank J Melillo on July 18, Mike Hood on July 18 Efrain Morales on July 18, Gregory T. Shanos on July 2 and 18, Peter Tickner on July 3, 11, 13 and 21; Gary Walker on July 18, Anthony Wesley on July7, 8, 12, 13 and 18.

Once again, Greg Shaos was able to observe another transit of Titan’s shadow from 07:41 until 10:07 UT.

On July 18, there was another shadow transit of Titan which was observed by Efrain , Frank, Gary, Greg and Mike. A selection of their images is given below.

On July 2, Peter imaged a transit of Tethys

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