Lucknow: The Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Lucknow, under the Uttar Pradesh Department of Science and Technology, will organise a special night-sky observation programme on October 4, offering astronomy enthusiasts and the public an opportunity to observe Saturn at opposition.
During opposition, Earth lies between the Sun and Saturn, placing the planet opposite the Sun in the sky. Saturn will rise in the eastern sky around sunset and remain visible through most of the night, reaching a considerable altitude around midnight. On October 4, the planet is expected to shine at approximately 0.3 magnitude, making it identifiable to the naked eye as a bright, star-like object.
Visitors will be able to observe Saturn and its prominent rings through telescopes installed and being set up by the planetarium. The increase in the apparent brightness of Saturn’s rings around opposition is known as the Seeliger effect.
The first week of October will feature several other notable celestial events. From the night of October 4 to the early hours of October 5, the Moon, stars Castor and Pollux, and Mars will be visible in the eastern sky. On the morning of October 6, a thin crescent Moon will appear very close to the bright planet Jupiter.
Alongside the night-sky programme, the planetarium will also organise a solar observation session on October 4. The Sun will be viewed safely through specially filtered equipment.
Astronomers and experts will answer questions from visitors, while the programme will be conducted through the Astronomers Club operated by the Indira Gandhi Planetarium.
Ramesh Chandra, Director, Uttar Pradesh Council of Science and Technology, said the Council would organise astronomy outreach programmes at different locations in Lucknow in the coming months to encourage interest in astronomy and promote scientific thinking among students and the public
