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2026 April

The first observation of Saturn for this apparition was made by Trevor Barry on April 26, followed by observations made on April 27. On both dates, the planet was low and images were taken with both an IR filter (IR >685nm) and a methane filter. The south face of the rings is now tilted towards the Sun and the Earth, and the Cassini Division was visable in each ansae. The EZ was bright in IR but only the northern half was brighter in methane with a prominent EZB also visible in methane.

2026 May

During May, further observations were made by Trevor Barry, i.e. on May 3, 10, 18 and 20, again with IR (>685 nm) and methane (890nm) filters and Efrain Morales on May 29. With improving conditions as the planet became higher, more detail was recorded including more belts and zones. On May 3, Dione’s shadow was recorded in transit. On May 18, some light spots were recorded at approximately -7 degrees, -43 degrees and 60 degrees. On May 20, Trevor made a remarkable observation recording spokes on Ring B using both the IR and Methane filters. An animation of these images is shown below.

2026 June.

During June, observations have been received from Trevor Barry on June 7, 10 and 21; Kevin Kell on June 3, 24 and 29; Efrain Morales on June 4 and 6; Gregory T. Shanos on June 23 and Peter Tickner on June 13.

All observations have revealed the major belts with a bright EZ. Trevor was able to image the long-lived Anti Cyclonic (AV) vortex on June 21 with an approximate latitude of 43 degrees north. This was the first observation of this object during this apparition. He again imaged ring spokes; this time on June 7. Trevor has also recorded a number of light spots including an oval at approximately 43 degrees south (on (June 7 and 10) and one at 58 degrees south. During the last apparition, similar ovals were observed at these latitudes but further observations are required to see it they are identical.

2026 July

With the increasing altitude of the planet, more observations were received during this month. Observations have been received from Paul Abel on July 20; Trevor Barry on 6, 15, 27 and 31; David Basey on July 4 and 7; David Graham on July 24;Alun Halsey on July 25 and 28; Mike Hood on July 4; Mike Karakas on July 5, 6, 9, 10, 18 22 and 28; Kevin Kell on July 7, 12, 20 and 23; Efrain Morales on July 23 and 26; Luigi Morrone on July 21; Damian Peach on July 9, 17, 21, 22, 24, 25 and 29; Randy Tatum July 10; Peter Tickner on July 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 25, 28,29 and 30; Anthony Wesley on July 7, 10, 21 22, 23, 27 and 31.

The long-lived Anti Cyclonic oval was detected by Trevor on July 15, 27 and 31. It was also detected by Anthony on July 31. Spots have also been detected in the EZ(S), the SEB and STropZ. The two light ovals in the southern hemisphere have continued to be visible.

Ring spokes have been frequently reported during this month; often using IR filters. They appeared on the f. side of Ring B. Observations by Anthony using IR filters on July 7, 10, 21; Damian on July 24 and 25; Mike K. on July 5, 9 and 28 and Randy on July 10. They were suspected on other dates in images taken by Anthony and Mike K.

Transits of Dione’s shadow were observed by Trevor on July 27 coupled with Dione and its shadow on July 31. Tethys shadow transit on July 9. Transits of Tethys and its shadow were observed on July 5 (Mike K), July 11 (Peter), July 22 (Mike K) and July 28 (Peter). Damian observed a shadow transit of Tethys on July 9.

2026 August

Under construction.

During this month observations have been received from: Paul Abel on Aug 7; Trevor Barry on Aug 12, 20, 22 and 30; David Basey on Aug 3, 8, 11, 24 and 25; Rob Bullen on Aug 24; David Graham on Aug 2, 10, 15, 22, and 25; Mike Hood on Aug 9, 19 and 20; Mike Karakas on Aug 1, 9, 11, 19 21, 23 and 27; Manos Kardasis on Aug 19; Kevin Kell on Aug 5, 11, 18, 21, 22 and 29; Bill Leatherbarrow on Aug 22 and 23; Paul Mettam on Aug 22; Efrain Morales on Aug 7 and 13; Damian Peach on Aug 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14 and 28; Gregory T. Shanos on Aug 3 and 10; Randy Tatum on Aug 26 and 30; Peter Tickner on Aug 2, 3, 7, 8, 20, 23, 24 and 28; Jim Tomney on Aug 19; Gary Walker on Aug 9, 20 and 25; Anthony Wesley on Aug 1 and 3.

Saturn’s Decagon.

Recently there has been an announcement of the discovery of a Decagon wave in Saturn’s southern hemisphere (A Decagon Wave around Saturn’s South Pole . Agustin Sanchez-Lavega et al. Sci.ADV 12(36) DOI 10.1126/sciadv.aee4251, 2 Sep 2026). Trevor is a co-author of this paper.

During the last apparition, Trevor reported ‘ripples’ at high southern latitudes which may have been vertices of this features. Further, On Aug 30, he imaged one of the vertices of this feature (see below).