Phillyterp85

On 30/01/2023 at 15:34, vlaiv said:

It is very hard to depict what is seen at the eyepiece when looking at computer screen image.

First - you need to be at exactly "prescribed" distance from computer screen in order to make Jupiter image on the screen appear the same size in the eyepiece - and that will depend on pixel pitch of the screen used.

Second - there are various cognitive effects that come into play. When looking at the eyepiece - one just sees patch of the sky and a planet. There are no reference points to be able to judge size.

You are correct - 9mm eyepiece with 700mm FL gives about x78 magnification.

That is actually plenty of magnification for target like Jupiter. If current apparent diameter of Jupiter is ~36" - then x78 magnification will make it about x1.5 larger than the full moon when viewed with naked eye.

We can see some features on the full moon - and yes, you should be able to see some features on Jovian disk at x78 as well. At least main belts.

Here is handy way of knowing if you have focus right - you already know that Jupiter will look like large circle when out of focus. You can use that circle to roughly judge where is correct focus position. As you change focus (rotate focuser knob) - diameter of that circle will change - it will either grow or shrink - you should go in direction of shrinking the circle.

At some point - circle will be the smallest and if you continue rotating knob in same direction - it will start to grow again.

This point where circle is the smallest is place of actual focus. Once you reach it - pay attention to the detail on the planet and try to tease out detail - tweak the focus as needed to make features on planet sharp. Do be careful - there is spot just before perfect focus that focuses on disturbance in our atmosphere rather than planet itself - if you focus on that - you will see actual air - much like warm air over fire - distorting the planet. You don't want to focus on that - try to focus on actual planet, but do understand that atmosphere will make it difficult as everything will dance around more or less (depends how calm the atmosphere is).

I know this post was months ago, but just wanted to reply and say thank you!  I took a few months off and brought the telescope back out this weekend.  I used this technique, and was able to get a great viewing of Jupiter and 5 of its moons.  I then used this same approach for Saturn and was able to see Saturn and its rings!  It was amazing.   Unfortunately couldn’t get a picture as the phone adapter was being finicky.  But just seeing it was so cool!

Been off for a few months, but brought the telescope back out this weekend.  Got some great observations.   Great views of the moon.  I saw Jupiter and 5 of its moons.   And, for the first time ever, saw Saturn with its rings!  Was with the family this weekend so they all got to see it too and thought it was very cool.  Unfortunately, couldn’t get the phone adapter to cooperate with me this weekend and couldn’t get a pic of Jupiter or Saturn.   Could only get pics of the moon.

I’m learning how quickly the sky changes. Took a peek at the sky at 6:30 pm, and Jupiter was in perfect view overhead, nice and bright.  And after getting tips on how to focus on Jupiter in the planets section, I was excited to take out the telescope and try again.   So I figured after I put my son to bed tonight, I’d be able to go out and check it out.   Go back out at 9:30, and Jupiter was too low on the horizon and out of sight.  Lesson learned!

On 28/01/2023 at 14:04, Nigella Bryant said:

My stacked image of C2022 E3

That’s an awesome picture!

1 hour ago, Ratlet said:

Magnificent!  

Thanks!

13 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

Mostly on round objects that are small - like bright stars or planets.

Moon is often too big and you'll see just a part of circle in the eyepiece (depending on magnification - you might not see whole moon even when in focus). It won't help in daytime either if you want to observe ships on horizon or maybe bird or wild life (just be careful not to point the scope near the sun when you observe during the day).

But don't worry, you only need a bit of practice with your scope and you'll instinctively know how to move focuser and get in correct focus regardless of the object in question.

Thanks so much!  I have had some success with getting a decent shot of the moon.  Was able to play with the focus until I was able to clearly see some detail. Here’s one I got the other night with my 9mm eyepiece (78x magnification) and I had a moon filter on.

30 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

It is very hard to depict what is seen at the eyepiece when looking at computer screen image.

First - you need to be at exactly "prescribed" distance from computer screen in order to make Jupiter image on the screen appear the same size in the eyepiece - and that will depend on pixel pitch of the screen used.

Second - there are various cognitive effects that come into play. When looking at the eyepiece - one just sees patch of the sky and a planet. There are no reference points to be able to judge size.

You are correct - 9mm eyepiece with 700mm FL gives about x78 magnification.

That is actually plenty of magnification for target like Jupiter. If current apparent diameter of Jupiter is ~36" - then x78 magnification will make it about x1.5 larger than the full moon when viewed with naked eye.

We can see some features on the full moon - and yes, you should be able to see some features on Jovian disk at x78 as well. At least main belts.

Here is handy way of knowing if you have focus right - you already know that Jupiter will look like large circle when out of focus. You can use that circle to roughly judge where is correct focus position. As you change focus (rotate focuser knob) - diameter of that circle will change - it will either grow or shrink - you should go in direction of shrinking the circle.

At some point - circle will be the smallest and if you continue rotating knob in same direction - it will start to grow again.

This point where circle is the smallest is place of actual focus. Once you reach it - pay attention to the detail on the planet and try to tease out detail - tweak the focus as needed to make features on planet sharp. Do be careful - there is spot just before perfect focus that focuses on disturbance in our atmosphere rather than planet itself - if you focus on that - you will see actual air - much like warm air over fire - distorting the planet. You don't want to focus on that - try to focus on actual planet, but do understand that atmosphere will make it difficult as everything will dance around more or less (depends how calm the atmosphere is).

Thank you so much for the tip on focus!  Im assuming that focusing strategy works on any object im trying to get a focus on?

5 hours ago, vlaiv said:

You are way off with your focus there.

 

Ok great thanks for the feedback.   When adjusting the focus, it ranged from tiny bright dot to what is shown in the photo.   My scope is 700 mm length x 90mm aperture, and I was using a 9mm eyepiece.

So am I correct in saying that my magnification was at 78x with that setup?

I’ve googled images of Jupiter with various magnifications, and at 78x magnification it looks like Jupiter should be much smaller than what it looked like in my scope.  So I will try again and adjust the focus.

I also tried to get the comet last night.  Was difficult from my house as there were trees in the way.  But here’s what I got.

1 minute ago, Ratlet said:

I had the same problem.  Looks more like someone is shining a light through a picture of Jupiter rather than looking at a picture of Jupiter?

I got recommended to buy the linked filters which came in at under £10.  Literally the cheapest filters on eBay and they have revolutionised my observing of planets.

It won't be a magic bullet, but for the cost of a couple pints it might help.

 

Thanks I’ll look into those!

I’ve been wondering this myself.  I’m brand new to astronomy.  I have a 90mm aperture refracting telescope.  This is the view of Jupiter I was able to get the other night.  Can’t really see detail, it just looked like a white circle.   Maybe my focus wasn’t good and that was the issue?  Or is this how it normally looks?

29 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Hi all..

I love this thread, it's so good to read about others' sessions and successes and challenges, especially when circumstances don't allow me to get outside myself..

One thing that I feel would personally help a lot, would be if people just add to their post what scope they were using? No brand needed, just "150mm" Newt", 8" Dob, "100mm F7 refractor" etc..

This would help me, and I'm sure others, put reports into context, for example in my 5" refractor I'm not likely to replicate the view seen in a 10" or 12" Dob. So this could help us to manage our expectations, especially for newer members?

Just a thought😊..

Dave

That’s a good idea.   The scope I was using is a 700mm focal length x 90mm aperture telescope.  I had a 9mm eyepiece in.

3 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Welcome to the forum Phillyterp85👍😊.

Astronomy is fabulous hobby and based on observation and science (most of the time!)..Astrology er, isn't!😂

Hope you and your son enjoy your new pastime, it's so rewarding to learn the night sky constellations. If you can get a pair of half decent binoculars as well (around £50-70) you can both look at things at the same time. And ask if you have any questions, this forum is a great place to get help👍.

Dave

Omg so embarrassing, Astronomy,  not Astrology, lol.  Thank you for correcting that!   Thanks for the tip on the binoculars, I hadn’t thought of that.  
looking forward to when it gets warmer and we can set up at an open park without freezing our tail off. Unfortunately my house isn’t great for seeing the sky, lots of light pollution and trees.  So I can only see some planets and some bright stars with the naked eye from my house.

2 hours ago, Stu said:

Great shot @Phillyterp85, and welcome to the forum 👍

Thank you!

3 hours ago, Ratlet said:

Fantastic image chief.  Hope you and the boy are enjoying the scope.  Sounds like you are having lots of success.

Thanks!   I need some work on observing the planets.   For example I’ve been able to locate Jupiter, but it just looks like a white circle.  I’ve seen images posted online where people can actually see the colors, the big red storm, etc…. So I have to do some research on how to observe it better, and see its moons.  But I’ve definitely been very happy with the images of the moon I’ve seen so far.  

4 hours ago, Nakedgun said:

~

Welcome to the forum, and welcome to astronomy!

Having fun is why we're all here.

 

 

.

Thank you!

Hi all!  Brand new to the forum, and brand new to astrology.  Got my son (and myself) a telescope for Christmas.   Been having fun with it so far.  Got some great shots of the moon tonight.   Tried to get some shots of the comet as well.  I was able to locate it, but couldn’t really get a clear image of it.   Here’s my view of the moon that I was able to get.