The above photo of Saturn was taken by 15-year-old Marcus Reed of Seaford, East Sussex. He captured the image, planet, rings and all, at 4am in his backyard using a 102mm diameter reflector telescope and an app on his iPhone called “Sky Guide” to inform him on where in the sky he should be looking.
“I took the picture at about four in the morning,” Reed explains. “I had turned on the app and saw that Saturn was visible, so straight away I put my slippers on and ran downstairs, setting up my telescope on the back lawn in my pajamas. I was pleasantly surprised when I looked back and saw I had such a clear picture — Saturn is my favorite planet.
I have been interested in astronomy and photography for a long time, and I really enjoy it — I use my telescope every night when it's clear.”
For what it’s worth, Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and the second largest in the solar system. Given its proximity to Earth and size, the gas giant has been observed by astronomers and space enthusiasts since ancient times. Still, this does not dampen the enthusiasm surrounding the success of Reed’s efforts.
“Marcus has done a fantastic job at capturing the view of Saturn we might see with our eyes using a good beginner’s telescope,” said Tom Kerss, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory. “The familiar rings are clearly seen encircling the gas giant, which as of this month is rising before the Sun.
At the present time one of Saturn’s poles appears to be covered by its rings, which are more inclined from our perspective, but in 7 years or so Saturn will once again look as Marcus has captured it here.”
Reed, an aspiring astronomer, said that Timothy Peake is his inspiration, and that he one day hopes to join the European Space Agency as an astronaut.
“I’m in the air cadets — when I’m older I’d like to join the RAF then become a commercial pilot, but after that I aspire to join the European Space Agency as an astronaut.”
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