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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

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; 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.

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).

Higher resolution images have revealed a number of belts, some of which were narrow. Some very approximate planetographic latitudes of these belts are given below. However these will be revised with more latitude measurements, as will fitting these into the classical nomenclature. In the northern hemisphere, a broad double belt extended from 54 to 46 degrees north, with a narrow dark belt centred at 40 degrees north. Some images show a narrow dark belt centred at approximately 19 degrees north with several fainter narrow belts further north. These cover the latitudes of the NEB described in previous apparitions. The southern EZ was bright and yellowish white in colour and divided by a broad EB. This stretched from approximate latitudes 5 to 10 degrees south although some images showed a narrow belt further north centred at approximately 2 deg south. The most prominent southern hemisphere belt lay from approximately 14 to 26 deg south which was probably the SEB(N) based on previous apparition latitudes measurements. A fainter double belt lay from 30 to 36 deg south – probably the SEB(S). Further south was a double belt lying from 41 to 48 degrees south. Embedded in this belt was the prominent southern hemisphere oval. Another double belt lay from 51 to 59 degrees south. The northern edge of a dark belt lay at 62 to 63 degrees south which is the approximate latitude of the decagon.

A number of spots have been detected at a number of latitudes including the long-lived southern hemisphere spot at 42 to 44 degrees south, one further south and a white spot in the EB. The AV was detected by Trevor on Aug12 but it appeared faint.

The shadow of the planet onto the rings was visible on the p. side but slowly narrowed throughout the month. The shadow of the rings onto the planet was projected onto the southern EZ; south of where the rings crossed the planet.

Ring spokes have been recorded on the f. side of Ring B throughout this month. The following lists the dates when they have been definitely recorded, although they were suspected on a few other dates. Aug 3 (Anthony), Aug 7 (Damian, Peter and Efrain), Aug 8 (Damian), Aug 9 (Gary), Aug 10 (Gregory), Aug 11 (Damian), Aug 14 (Damian), Aug 20 (Peter) Aug 23 (Bill and Peter) and Aug 28 (Damian).

Some satellite transits were observed this month. Transits of Dione’s shadow were detected on Aug 21 (Mike K.) and on Aug 28 (Peter). Transits of Tethys and shadow were observed on Aug 14 (Damian) and Aug 25 (Gary). Enceladus was detected by Kevin on Aug 22 and Peter on Aug 28.

2026 Sep

During this month, observations have been received from: Paul Abel on Sep 23; Trevor Barry on Sep 5, 10, 17 and 21; David Basey on Sep 1 and 25; Guy Earle on Sep 18 and 19; Mike Foulkes on Sep 21 and 24; David Graham on Sep 11, 15, 23, 26 and 28; Alun Halsey on Sep 16; Mike Hood on Sep 1, 9, 15 and 29; Chris Hooker on Sep 21; Mike Karakas on Sep 2, 3, 20 and 21; Manos Kardasis on Sep 21 and 25; Kevin Kell on Sep 4, 7, 14 and 18; Paul Mettam on Sep 12, 15 and 22; Efrain Morales on Sep 30; Luigi Morrone on Sep 5 and 28; Peter Mulligan on Sep 28; Damian Peach on Sep 20, 21, and 22; Mattia Piccoli on Sep 5; Karl Schwarzkopf-Bowers on Sep 21; Gregory T. Shanos on Sep 15 and 18; David Strange on Sep 21; Peter Tickner on Sep 6, 9, 12, 16, 21, 22 and 24; Gary Walker on Sep 4; Anthony Wesley on Sep 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 30; Callum Wingrove on Sep 9 and 25.

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