Western Nevada College News
Saturn's Largest Moon Viewed at JCDO
Aug 26, 2025
Saturn is known for its dust, rock and ice-laden rings, but lately there has been a lot of interest in Titan, the planet's largest moon. Titan is the black dot at the bottom of the planet.
There is more to Saturn than its prominent rings, gases and powerful winds. Jack C. Davis Observatory (JCDO) Director Dr. Thomas Herring and Western Nevada Astronomical Society members viewed Titan (Saturn's largest moon) transit in front of the planet during a recent late night and early morning gathering at the observatory.
They were able to view Titan, the largest of Saturn's 274 moons, with a couple of telescopes at JCDO. A photo of Titan, the black dot at the surface of Saturn, was produced by former WNC student and dedicated observatory volunteer Jake Cruson from the data he collected.
If the weather holds, Dr. Herring said the Titan transit can be viewed by telescope again on Sept. 3-4 and Sept. 19-20. He said these transits occur every 15 years.
"This is probably the best chance to see Titan transits in North America until the 2054 series. There may be some good views in the 2040 series as well," he said.