Saturn observers turn eyes to the skies

August 28, 2023 at 4:02 p.m.

Friends react as Tessa Brusven, right, shows off a cellphone photo of the moon while Robert Wilmore adjusts his 10-inch Newtonian telescope Sunday, Aug. 27 at Taylor Dock in Bellingham. The cellphone photo was taken by Wilmore through the eyepiece of his telescope. **(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)**

With a flamingo float in hand, Matthew Johnson observes the moon at Taylor Dock. Johnson was heading to see the bioluminescence in Bellingham Bay and stopped to peek through the telescopes, owned by Robert Wilmore, left, of the Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers. **(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)**

Signatures adorn the 10-inch Newtonian telescope owned by Robert Wilmore of the Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers. Anyone who looks through the telescope is allowed to sign it. **(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)**

Elie Bassett points out Saturn to her Western Washington University cross-county teammates as they look at the moon and Saturn through telescopes owned by members of the Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers. **(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)**

An image of Saturn and its rings, as seen through a Meade 8-inch telescope, at Taylor Dock on Aug. 27 in Bellingham. Telescopes owned by members of Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers (WACO) were at the dock for anyone to look through to see the moon and Saturn. **(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)**

Members of the Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers set up telescopes Sunday night, Aug. 27 at Taylor Dock in Bellingham to catch a glimpse of Saturn. Anyone wandering by between the hours of 7 p.m. and midnight was invited to look at the planet through the telescopes.

Saturn was in opposition Sunday night, meaning it was 180 degrees away from the sun, and therefore, closest to us as we orbit the star, lending a beautiful and clear view of the planet.