Here we have the same set of images shown in the previously posted "GAM_Saturn_0413" image, however, the brightness has been enhanced to show a few of the moons orbiting around Saturn. Given that Triton's orbital period is around 5.9 days, can you use these images to determine which of the moons it is? Are you able to identify any of the other moons? Is there any other planetary characteristic that we can determine from the motion of planetary moons?

Remember that the plane of Saturn's rings gives you a clue as the orbital plane of Saturn's moons.

Here we have three images of Saturn taken using the Liverpool Telescope over the past week. Although we are able to see some horizontal surface features on the gas giant planet, the observations are more useful in showing how the clarity of images can vary over time, dependent on how much moisture and turbulence is in the atmosphere.

The 4800km wide Cassini division (or dark gap) is clearly visible within Saturn's complex ring system, a system that is primarily made up of water ice particles ranging in size from micrometres to metres. Given that the gap is around a third the diameter of Earth, we can quickly determine that Saturn is much larger in comparison.

The following link provides a learning activity related to the characteristics of the planets in our Solar System.

This sharp image of just a small section of the Moon was taken on the 28th April 2013 by the Liverpool Telescope. We like it because it shows how the shadows lengthen as one approaches the lunar terminator - the line between illuminated and dark parts of the Moon's surface. The smoother region towards the centre of the image is known as Mare Fecunditatis, and is a flat basaltic plains that were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. The small craters within it were created more recently.

The field-of-view of the Liverpool Telescope is only 4.6 arcminutes, hence we can only see a small part of the 29 arcminute diameter moon.

Why not try to identify which part of the Moon this image relates to using the moon map found at the following link:

Here we have a rather nice image of a small part of the Moon from the Liverpool Telescope archive. The large crater towards the centre of the image is the Plato Crater, which is approximately 101km across. The dark region above it is known as Mare Frigoris, whilst below it is the Mare Imbrium region. Mare, otherwise known as lunar seas, are flat basaltic plains that were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.

The field-of-view of the Liverpool Telescope is only 4.6 arcminutes, hence we can only see a small part of the 29 arcminute diameter moon.

If you would like to learn more about the lunar surface, there is a useful moon map at the following link:

Image 9 of 9

Date: 11/03/13 - 00:10 UT

This image was taken using the all-sky camera on the Liverpool Telescope enclosure. It is part of a series taken on the night of 10/03/2013 that shows how the constellation of Orion moves across the night sky. We use the all-sky camera to check on the cloud situation, but it is also useful for capturing meteors and satellites.

If you look at the images carefully, what is strange about the image orientation? Can you work out which way is North ... how? What other constellations and features can you see in the image?

Orion is one of 88 constellations (groups of stars), and the following guide provides some more information about them:

Image 8 of 9

Date: 10/03/13 - 23:40 UT

This image was taken using the all-sky camera on the Liverpool Telescope enclosure. It is part of a series taken on the night of 10/03/2013 that shows how the constellation of Orion moves across the night sky. We use the all-sky camera to check on the cloud situation, but it is also useful for capturing meteors and satellites.

If you look at the images carefully, what is strange about the image orientation? Can you work out which way is North ... how? What other constellations and features can you see in the image?

Orion is one of 88 constellations (groups of stars), and the following guide provides some more information about them:

Image 7 of 9

Date: 10/03/13 - 23:10 UT

This image was taken using the all-sky camera on the Liverpool Telescope enclosure. It is part of a series taken on the night of 10/03/2013 that shows how the constellation of Orion moves across the night sky. We use the all-sky camera to check on the cloud situation, but it is also useful for capturing meteors and satellites.

If you look at the images carefully, what is strange about the image orientation? Can you work out which way is North ... how? What other constellations and features can you see in the image?

Orion is one of 88 constellations (groups of stars), and the following guide provides some more information about them:

Image 6 of 9

Date: 10/03/13 - 22:40 UT

This image was taken using the all-sky camera on the Liverpool Telescope enclosure. It is part of a series taken on the night of 10/03/2013 that shows how the constellation of Orion moves across the night sky. We use the all-sky camera to check on the cloud situation, but it is also useful for capturing meteors and satellites.

If you look at the images carefully, what is strange about the image orientation? Can you work out which way is North ... how? What other constellations and features can you see in the image?

Orion is one of 88 constellations (groups of stars), and the following guide provides some more information about them:

Image 5 of 9

Date: 10/03/13 - 22:10 UT

This image was taken using the all-sky camera on the Liverpool Telescope enclosure. It is part of a series taken on the night of 10/03/2013 that shows how the constellation of Orion moves across the night sky. We use the all-sky camera to check on the cloud situation, but it is also useful for capturing meteors and satellites.

If you look at the images carefully, what is strange about the image orientation? Can you work out which way is North ... how? What other constellations and features can you see in the image?

Orion is one of 88 constellations (groups of stars), and the following guide provides some more information about them:

Image 4 of 9

Date: 10/03/13 - 21:40 UT

This image was taken using the all-sky camera on the Liverpool Telescope enclosure. It is part of a series taken on the night of 10/03/2013 that shows how the constellation of Orion moves across the night sky. We use the all-sky camera to check on the cloud situation, but it is also useful for capturing meteors and satellites.

If you look at the images carefully, what is strange about the image orientation? Can you work out which way is North ... how? What other constellations and features can you see in the image?

Orion is one of 88 constellations (groups of stars), and the following guide provides some more information about them: