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Wideband photometry of saturn in 2007-2008.

Article Excerpt
ABSTRACT

The writer made 45 brightness measurements of Saturn + rings between Nov. 28, 2007 and April 24, 2008. The selected B(1, 0), V (1, 0), R(l, 0) and I (1, 0) values for Saturn + rings for b = 7[degrees] are: -8.10 [+ or -] 0.01, -9.14 [+ or -] 0.01, -9.77 [+ or -] 0.01 and -9.87 [+ or -] 0.02 respectively. The selected solar phase angle coefficients (in magnitudes/degree) are: 0.041 [+ or -] 0.006, 0.034 [+ or -] 0.005, 0.022 [+ or -] 0.007 and 0.027 [+ or -] 0.007 respectively. It is concluded that the angle between the ring plane and the Sun (B') has as much affect on the results as the angle between the ring plane and the Earth (B). As a result of this, a new parameter, b, is defined as b = [(B' x B).sup.1/2]. Saturn's opposition surge on Feb. 24 was 0.02 magnitudes in the V-filter.

INTRODUCTION

McKim and Blaxall summarized Saturn observations made between 1943 and 1981 (1). One important finding they report is that the hemisphere eclipsed by the rings has a different color than the one exposed to the Sun. They also show that the hemisphere exposed to the Sun had a more yellowish or brownish hue than the other one. This trend was evident in numerous images made during the 2007-2008 apparition. This trend will also have important implications for the overall color and brightness of Saturn.

This report is a continuation of a long term study of the brightness and color of Saturn and its rings. The purpose of this study is to yield additional information on:

1) The brightness and color of Saturn + rings as it passes through different seasons,

2) Saturn's solar phase angle coefficients in different colors and in different seasons,

3) The opposition surge in different colors, and

4) The influence of the Sun's position with respect to the ring plane.

These data can yield information about seasonal changes on Saturn including the color change that occurs when parts of Saturn are eclipsed by the rings.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

The writer used an...

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