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∆ Galileo’s sketch shows Saturn’s ‘ears’.

Saturn’s “ears” The Italian astronomer Galileo first observed Jupiter and Saturn through a telescope. He spotted Jupiter ’ s four large moons, now known as the Galilean moons . He also noticed that there was something peculiar about Saturn. He said it had “ strange appendages ,” which he thought might be large moons. What he had spotted were Saturn ’ s rings. four large moons of Jupiter. You can see them change position from night to night as they circle round the planet. But it is in telescopes that Jupiter and Saturn begin to reveal their true beauty. Full bands show up on Jupiter’s disc, together with all kinds of other markings. Saturn looks even more spectacular because of its magnificent rings.

Finding Saturn At times Saturn can shine as brightly as the brightest stars, but it does not stand out like Jupiter does. It is often difficult to spot unless you know exactly where

to look for it. Details about where in the heavens Saturn and the other planets are visible at any particular time can be found in astronomy magazines.

In binoculars and telescopes

When you look at Jupiter and Saturn in binoculars, you will see each one as a definite circle, or disc. This is in contrast to the stars, which always appear as tiny pinpoints of light in binoculars. Looking at Jupiter, you will also see tiny bright dots lined up on either side of the planet’s disc. These are some of the

Telescope views of Saturn reveal the beauty of its ring system.

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