October 5, 2001, 8:25 - 9:05 UT, seeing 7 - 8, transparency 2.

Astro-Physics 5.1" f/8.35 EDF refractor on homemade Dobsonian-style mount. Magnification 264 - 308x with Baader binoviewer.

The shadow of the globe was visible on the rings, giving the planet a 3-D look to it, but not as pronounced as it had been in early September. South Polar Region (SPR) appeared green in color. The South Equatorial Belt appeared light brown, and in the Equatorial Zone (EZ) the Equatorial Band (EB) was visible. EZ north (EZn) was visible through the C or Crepe Ring, and appeared light gray. Shading was noted on both the preceding and following ansae of the B-Ring. The C or Crepe Ring prominent. A-Ring appeared darker then B-Ring.

The left or preceding ansae of the A-Ring showed some variation in tone, with lighter and darker areas visible. These darker areas reminded me of radial spokes I had seen in the A-Ring on September 12, 1998, as well as on December 8, 2002, although not as large (however I used a larger 7.1" aperture telescope when I observed the radial spokes on those occasions so that might explain why they appeared larger). On the right or following ansae the lighter areas were not visible and the radial spokes were less pronounced.

Five satellites were visible near Saturn including Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Titan, and Iapetus.