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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.
The Earth passed through Saturn’s ring plane on March 23 at 16:00 UT, moving north to south. 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 unilluminated south face of the rings was presented to the Earth.
The rings were not visible in exposures specifically for the planet. However contrast enhanced images taken by both observers revealed the very faint south face of the rings (see below).

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, and 20, Andy Casely on May 3, 8, 9 and 23, 2, 8 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 latitude of ~ 60deg S. 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, Trevor also imaged some features both light and dark in the EZ(S) – both with IR and methane filters.

Following the passage of the Sun through the ring plane the rings appeared faint but now in images exposed for the planet.

There have been some interesting observations involving the satellites.
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

Under construction