Shani Ashtami is observed when Ashtami or eighth day in a lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar falls on a Saturday. Saturday in Hinduism is called Shanivar and is dedicated to Saturn, Lord Shani. Saturn is the only planet named as an embodiment of the Divine, called Sanieswaraya (Shani+eashwara). Shani Ashtami dates in 2015 are 11 April, 22 August, 5 September and 19 December. In our picture here, astronomer Robert Hooke noted the shadows (a and b) cast by both the globe and the rings on each other in this drawing of Saturn in 1666.
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