Technologies

Saturn’s Pulling a Stunt This Weekend That Hasn’t Happened Since 2009: How to Watch

As Saturn and Earth line up, Saturn’s iconic rings will appear to vanish.

It’s not every day that a prominent feature of our solar system disappears, but that’s precisely what will happen with Saturn. Over the weekend, Saturn’s gorgeous rings will nearly vanish from sight. No worries, they’ll be back in a couple of weeks.

This phenomenon is caused by an optical illusion that occurs when the stars line up. Saturn is tilted at 26.73 degrees on its orbit, while Earth is very close to that at a 23.5-degree tilt. When the two planets line up just right, the rings of Saturn are almost entirely horizontal from the perspective of Earth, causing them to mostly vanish.

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«As Saturn and the Earth travel around the sun, we will periodically be in a position where those rings are seen edge on,» explains Dr. Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. «Because the rings are so thin, if we look at it edge-on, we can’t see (the rings).»

So, anyone looking up at the sky this weekend will likely note that the planet won’t look very Saturn-like without its trademark rings. However, if you’re using a powerful telescope, the rings will still be visible. It’ll appear as though a thin line is running through the middle of Saturn, as shown in the graphic above.

How do Saturn’s rings disappear?

The tilt of Saturn and Earth is the main thing. It’s like looking at a piece of paper. If you hold it horizontally up to eye level, it’ll be practically invisible. Paper is an apt analogy here because Saturn’s rings are thinner than many think.

«The rings of Saturn are incredibly thin,» Schmoll says. «Even the thickest estimates put the rings at 1 kilometer (about half a mile). Saturn’s diameter is over 116,000 km, so comparatively that is VERY thin.»

According to NASA, Saturn’s rings average about 30 feet in height across the entire length of the ring. That means when viewed from the side at a distance of about 1.5 million kilometers (983,000 miles), you might as well be looking at a sheet of paper from the side.

The rings are still technically visible. Folks with higher-powered telescopes may be able to see the line jutting across Saturn. However, those with low-power telescopes may not see it, making Saturn look naked.

When will the rings return?

The peak of this little celestial dance will occur over the weekend. So, technically, the rings have already been like this for a week or two and will continue to be difficult to see going into April. By then, Saturn’s orbit will begin to tilt the rings again, and they will slowly come back into view over the next month or two.

«Technically, the ring plane crossing is only for a moment when it’s fully edge on,» said Schmoll. «For powerful telescopes, we can see the rings again quickly. For most backyard telescopes, though, you have to wait a few months before you can see them again»

How rare is this event?

According to NASA, this happens about every 13 to 15 years on average. It’s not an exact science, though, as prior events occurred in 1980, 1995 and 2009.

«Saturn’s orbit is just under 30 years, so there are two times in a Saturn orbit when that angle is just right,» Dr. Schmoll says. «Sometimes it happens when Saturn is on the opposite side of the sun from us, which makes it hard to see because the sun gets in the way.»

The next one is predicted to come in 2038 or 2039, Schmoll says, and it should be «a lot easier to spot» as well.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, April 8

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 8.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Hint: It uses a lot of the letter Z for some reason. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: ___-Carlton (hotel chain)
Answer: RITZ

5A clue: Span of the alphabet
Answer: ATOZ

6A clue: Cable channel with an out-of-this-world name
Answer: STARZ

7A clue: Takes care of, as a squeaky wheel
Answer: OILS

8A clue: Toy on a string
Answer: YOYO

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: When a post receives far more negative comments than likes, in social media slang
Answer: RATIO

2D clue: World’s leading wine producer
Answer: ITALY

3D clue: Middle of the human body
Answer: TORSO

4D clue: Sleeping sound
Answer: ZZZ

6D clue: Tofu base
Answer: SOY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 8, #562

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 8 No. 562.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Working out.

Green group hint: Cover your face.

Blue group hint: NFL players.

Purple group hint: Leap.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Exercises in singular form.

Green group: Sporting jobs that require masks.

Blue group: Hall of Fame defensive ends.

Purple group: ____ jump.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is exercises in singular form. The four answers are crunch, plank, situp and squat.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is sporting jobs that require masks. The four answers are catcher, fencer, football player and goaltender.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Hall of Fame defensive ends. The four answers are Dent, Peppers, Strahan and Youngblood.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ jump. The four answers are broad, high, long and triple.

Technologies

The $135M Google Data Settlement Site Is Live — See If You’re Eligible

Use the settlement website to select your preferred payment method, and you may end up $100 richer.

You can now file a claim in the $135 million Google data settlement. The case centers on claims that Android devices transmitted user data without consent. Specifically, the class action lawsuit Taylor v. Google LLC contends that Google’s Android devices passively transferred cellular data to Google without user permission, even when the devices were idle. While not admitting fault, Google reached a preliminary settlement in January, agreeing to pay $135 million to about 100 million US Android phone users.

The official settlement website for the lawsuit is now live. The final approval hearing won’t occur until June 23, when the court will consider whether Google’s settlement is fair and listen to objections. After that, the court will decide whether to approve the $135 million settlement.

In the meantime, if you qualify and want to be paid as part of the settlement, you can select your preferred payment method on the official website. There, you can find information on speaking at the June 23 court hearing and on how to exclude yourself or write to the court to object by May 29.

As part of the settlement, Google will update its Google Play terms of service to clarify that certain data transfers do occur passively even when you’re not using your Android device, and that cellular data may be relied upon when not connected to Wi-Fi. This can’t always be disabled, but users will be asked to consent to it when setting up their device.

Google will also fully stop collecting data when its «allow background data usage» option is toggled off.

Who can be part of the settlement?

In order to join the Taylor v. Google LLC settlement, you must meet four qualifications:

Be a living, individual human being in the US.
Have used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan.
Have used the aforementioned device at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, to the date when the settlement receives final approval.
You’re not a class member in the Csupo v. Google LLC lawsuit, which is similar but specifically for California residents.

The final approval hearing is on June 23, so you can add your payment method until then. The hearing’s date and time may change, and any updates will be posted on the settlement website.

If you choose to do nothing, you will still be issued a settlement payment, but you may not receive it if you don’t select a payment method.

How much will I get paid?

It’s not currently known exactly how much each settlement class member will receive, but the cap is $100. Payments will be distributed after final court approval and after any appeals are resolved.

After all administrative, tax and attorney costs are paid, the settlement administrator will attempt to pay each member an equal amount. If any funds remain after payments are sent, and it’s economically feasible, they will be redistributed to members who were previously and successfully paid. If it’s not economically feasible, the funds will go to an organization approved by the court.