Mogra1

Have an Astromaster 130 EQ .   Tried looking at Jupiter and Saturn.

Here are the pieces that have been used:

1. 20mm and 10 mm eyepiece (original)

2. 2X and  3X barlow (bought separately)

3. 16 mm and 32 mm plossol.

Tried various combinations to get a better view of Jupiter and Saturn.

Get same views no matter what, details lacking in all of them.

Cannot see Jupiter Bands OR the GRS (know this is not always visible) Can see Jupiter and its moons. Jupiter appears as a bright round with no details.

Saturn can see  : tiny with rings but there is a light distortion.

Any suggestions on how to get better views?

We can see the moon clearly with the 20mm and 10mm eyepiece.

Hoping for clearer skies ,

Thanks All!

On 01/08/2021 at 18:53, Alan64 said:

You can begin with a 2x-barlow, as they're more commonplace.  A 3x-barlow is useful, too, but you'll want the collimation spot-on when using that one, and for the highest powers.  A telescope has to work harder as you go up in power, therefore a precise, or nigh enough, collimation becomes paramount.

It would be reasonable to expect 150x or so in the beginning.  Your telescope has a focal-length of 650mm.  That's what you use to determine your selection of eyepieces...

650mm ÷ 150x = a 4.3mm eyepiece, but let's round that off to 4mm(163x).  You can see the planets quite well at that power, particularly Jupiter and Saturn.  Then, again, in that the Moon is so very near to the Earth, you can use considerably higher powers to observe its details, up to 250x, and beyond perhaps.

You can combine a 9mm(72x) eyepiece with a 2x-barlow for a simulated 4.5mm(144x); then, a 12mm(54x) eyepiece, for a simulated 6mm(108x).  

This is my 12mm eyepiece inserted into a 3x-barlow, and for a simulated 4mm...

I have the benefit of a larger eye-lens through which to observe, whilst retaining the greater eye-relief of the 12mm by itself.

I also have this 4mm eyepiece...

Note how it appears quite similar to the eyepiece-and-barlow combination above.  That 4mm eyepiece contains a built-in barlow, and for a single, tighter unit.

To help in finding objects in the night sky, to aid the finder in same, a 32mm Plossl is suggested.  The 32mm would provide the lowest power and the widest view of the night sky; for hunting and spotting, then to increase the power for a closer look.  It may also be used to observe the largest objects in the night sky: the galaxy in Andromeda, and the Pleiades, in winter.  In summer, the star-studded fields of the Milky Way unfold.

Going from a 32mm to shorter, I prefer a 20mm over a 25mm; then, a 12mm or 16mm.  I think that a 12mm is more versatile, as you can reach the higher powers when combining it with a 2x or 3x barlow, more easily.

If we knew where you're located here on Earth, we could help you to find online listings of these items, and go from there.

As suggested bought a 2x barlow and a 32mm plossol eyepiece.

Saturn was clear but we did not get as clear a picture of Jupiter.

How good are the views supposed to be. We saw jupiter and moon but no Red dot or even the lines.

Which other eyepiece should we buy?

Thanks!

Totally agree. Great images. 

Thanks for posting🙂

Which barlow and eyepiece should we buy for getiing good images?

23 hours ago, Philip R said:

Hi @Mogra1 and welcome to SGL. 

Also when changing your eyepieces, you will need to refocus the ‘scope… unless they are parfocal… and start with the lowest power/biggest number until you find the one you are comfortable with.

I used to be anti-zoom e/p, but now find they are indispensable tools, as they can help you determine which fixed length to purchase next. The downside to a zoom e/p is the narrow fields of view that they give depending on the focal length dialled in. If you decide to purchase one, the Baader Hyperion 8-24mm MkIV is a good choice. Other 8-24mm zoom e/p’s are available and each have their strengths and weaknesses.

I would avoid 7-21mm. That said I own a ‘cheap’ 7-21mm, (image below), and it does for what I need if I need to travel light with a few fixed length eyepieces in a backpack or ‘scope case.

Thanks i will look into this!

19 hours ago, AstroMuni said:

Welcome to the forum. John has identified your issue so I am sure you will be able to get that resolved quickly.

I have the same scope so I maybe able to assist with your journey into using the scope 🙂 I am assuming you are using the 10mm and 20mm erecting eyepieces that came with the scope? This site will help you understand how large you can expect to see Jupiter and Saturn using your equipment. https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/

Just to set your expectations, both Jupiter and Saturn will appear quite tiny with the 20mm. Be patient -as the more you watch the more the detail you will see. The 10mm will give a better view but it will be harder to keep it in the view. If you have the motor to track then that will help.

Good luck!

Yes I am using the 20mm and 10 mm eyepiece. Tried both but hoping for more details and there seems to be a light distortion.

Thanks!

On 29/07/2021 at 18:08, Alan64 said:

Hello,

The Moon is the object nearest to the Earth, and rather large.  It can appear clear, sharp somewhat, but objects that are farther away, much farther away, require the collimation to be spot on; and for sharp, pleasing images at the higher and highest powers.  Does your telescope's main mirror, at the bottom of the tube, have a centre-spot, like this...

You can shine a torch down the tube to find out.  

Thanks. Somewhat I will take a picture and post so you can confirm

Ok. Thank you!

Hi,

      We  were able to set up finderscope and see the moon clearly.

However when we try to see Jupiter OR Saturn we are seeing a black dot when we try to see more details. 

It looks like a shadow on the image. A black spot with spider vanes.

i think our scope is collimated correctly as i can see the moon clearly.

Any suggestions.

Thanks