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Telescopes

Sighting planets
Last post 08-08-2009 02:47 PM by DaveMitsky. 6 replies.
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  • 08-08-2009 07:26 AM

    • skreid
    • Joined on 08-08-2009
    • Posts 3

    Sighting planets

    So last night I was interested to see what the bright spot next to the moon was.  I went next door to grab my neighbors telescope (Nexstar 114 GT), pointed it towards the spot (couldn't find the battery pack, took a while to get the right spot ) and saw that it was Jupiter (big bright ball, with six tiny points of light next to it in a straight line).  An amazing sight to say the least, that was the first time I've looked into a telescope and saw a planet.

     But, I would like to know if I can get closer, see the planet in more detail?  Is there a telescope that someone like myself can buy and see objects/planets in our solar system with better detail than what I can get with this one?

     Thanks!

  • 08-08-2009 09:55 AM In reply to

    • Timthelder
    • Joined on 05-06-2009
    • Bowling Green, KY
    • Posts 6

    Re: Sighting planets

    Hi skreid,

         Did your neighbor happen to have a barlow lens in his eyepiece collection?   A  2x barlow married with a medium to high power eyepiece does very well.  This would be the most cost effective way to view the moon and planets.

        As far as a scope goes that would get you in there even closer,  I would probably recommend purchasing a Dobsonian style scope.  For the aperture size, they're a lot of bang for your buck.

    Signature
    Clear skies, Tim.

    Orion 100ED F/9
    Celestron 80mm SLT F/11 Guidescope

    Celestron 235mm F/10 SCT
    Celestron 80mm F/5 Guidescope

    Celestron CG-5 ASGT Mount

    Orion SS Autoguider
    DMK21AU04.AS Imaging Source videocam
    Canon 450D (unmodified)
  • 08-08-2009 10:25 AM In reply to

    • skreid
    • Joined on 08-08-2009
    • Posts 3

    Re: Sighting planets

     No idea :(  It just says 25mm and 10mm on each of the eyepieces. 

  • 08-08-2009 10:39 AM In reply to

    Re: Sighting planets

    For best viewing of the planets you want clear stable dark skies. The more stable the skies the more magnification you can use. However, all telescopes are limited to a maximum useful magnification. As a general rule of thumb that is approximately 2x per inch of aperture. This is not to say of the condition are excellent that you cannot exceed that amount, you can. But those nights are quite rare. That telescope being a 114mm will allow you to effectively use 228x magnification on a good night. Planets are often best viewed at magnification above 200x which is possible with that telescope. But, the size of the telescope is also limited in it light gathering ability and how good it can resolve small detail. Larger aperture equals more light grasp and a higher resolving power.

    Another thing to take into account when observing the planets is the type of telescope you are using. The Nexstar 114 GT being a smaller Newtonian Reflector also has the central obstruction of the secondary mirror which will reduce the contrast of the image. When compared to a Refractor of the same size or even slightly smaller, the refractor would have a sharper image at the equivalent magnification. The only way to overcome this with a Newtonian is to get a large one. As already mentioned in the previous reply, to get more bang for your buck a Dobsonian mounted Reflector(Dob) is a good choice. If you want something you can effectively use 250x 300x or maybe more magnification without to much contrast loss as you increase magnification then I suggest at least a 8" Dob.

    With that said, many people are under the misconception that you can magnify the planet considerably larger, and even possibly see it like you see it in pictures of it. That's not going to happen! Even in a larger telescope using 350x Magnification it's not going to be too much larger than what you may have already seen with the 114 GT. Maybe a little larger than a pea or about the size of the very tip of you pinky finger. But if you have the light grasp and resolving power you would be amazed at what you can see on the planet. You can see the swirling festoons among the bands and you can easily see the shadows of the moons as they pass in front of the planet.

    Signature
    Have A Nice ...
    Tim Kerr
    Healthy mind - healthy body - healthy earth.
    Ad astra
    Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit
    Jacksonville, NC.

    Equipment:
    Orion XT10 Classic, Celestron C6 R-GT w/updated CG5 GT mount, C80ED
    Canon EOS 350D, Canon EOS 50D, Meade DSI II Color CCD, Phillips SPC900NC
  • 08-08-2009 10:49 AM In reply to

    Re: Sighting planets

    skreid:

     No idea :(  It just says 25mm and 10mm on each of the eyepieces. 

    Those are the focal lengths for each of those eyepieces. Divide the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece and you will come up with the magnification for that eyepiece when used with that telescopes.

    from the specs I have found on that telescope it has a focal length of 1000mm. 1000/25=40, 1000/10=100.

    Also reviewing the Nexstar 114GT specs I can see that is a Jones-Bird Design telescope. Not the best for resolving detail on the planets even if you do use a higher magnification. Use the community search to the right of the screen using the key words "Jones-Bird" and you will find more info on that type of telescope.

    Signature
    Have A Nice ...
    Tim Kerr
    Healthy mind - healthy body - healthy earth.
    Ad astra
    Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit
    Jacksonville, NC.

    Equipment:
    Orion XT10 Classic, Celestron C6 R-GT w/updated CG5 GT mount, C80ED
    Canon EOS 350D, Canon EOS 50D, Meade DSI II Color CCD, Phillips SPC900NC
  • 08-08-2009 02:11 PM In reply to

    • skreid
    • Joined on 08-08-2009
    • Posts 3

    Re: Sighting planets

     Thanks for the tips :) I'd really like to spend more time studying astronomy, hope I can learn more around here :p

     

    Oh, while I was searching around, I came across Obsession telescopes.  Do those really produce results as clear as what they have on their website?  Wish I had the money for one :p

  • 08-08-2009 02:47 PM In reply to

    • DaveMitsky
    • Joined on 07-24-2001
    • PA, USA, Planet Earth Moderator
    • Posts 8,674

    Re: Sighting planets

    Obsession Dobs are premium telescopes and certainly do produce excellent planetary images but much less expensive telescopes can do so too.  As far as visual astronomy of the planets goes, astronomical "seeing", or atmospheric steadiness, is usually the most important factor. 

    There are links to a number of informative articles on seeing at http://celestialwonders.com/articles/seeing/

    Other factors include aperture, the quality of the optics, collimation, and proper athermalization (cool-down), and patience.

    Dave Mitsky

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    Chance favors the prepared mind.
    De gustibus non est disputandum.
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