Saturn in the refractor, 10/02

[The Warthog]

I was determined to get the scope out tonight, and set up the refractor before sunset, so I would have lots of light to set up in. I went out about 7 to find it completely clouded, so I came inside and watched the January S@N disc, then my son and his girlfriend came for a visit. While we were chatting, I went out for a look and found that it was now completely clear. They stayed until 9:30, and when they left I expected to find it clouded out again, but it was clear. I took my eyepieces out and put the trusty 32mm Plossl in, and used Sirius to focus the scope and line up the finder. Transparency wasn't very good tonight, but seeing was reasonable, and the temperature was about -8, but I was properly dressed, and didn't really feel the cold the whole time I was out.

I looked at Saturn after spending a while on M42. I had to get on my knees in the snow to get Saturn in the finder, but once I did, I spent a long time looking at it. I used my 20mm ep, and then popped in what I thought was the 5mm X=Cel, and enjoyed a nice, clear view of the planet. Titan was well out in front of it, and one of the other moons was behind and slightly below. The planet was crisp and sharp, but didn't show a lot of detail. I was a little disappointed that it didn't appear bigger. After a while, I realized that I had grabbed the 12mm, not the 5, and went back inside for the 5mm.

At 200x, I still found Saturn a little underwhelming, but at this magnification I got occasional hints of the Cassinini division, and some detail on the surface. This is the maximum power for this scope, but after a while I began to wonder, as astronomers will, 'What would happen if I Barlowed this puppy?' What happened was that I had to refocus on a fast moving object, using an ep that kidney-beans badly when Barlowed (but not by itself, Gordon ) and when I finally got it into focus, showed a little more detail than when not Barlowed. At least, the hints of the Casino division were stronger, and i did look at the division for a whole second or so at one point.

I really have to find better skies. These must be some of the worst skies in Canada. Still, it was an enjoyable evening, and I passed two hours without really feeling the cold, and managed to smoke a decent cigar. Now I've come in for a cuppa, and to share the moment with my SGL friends.

The M42 part of this report is elsewhere.

[The Warthog]

OOPS! Sorry, I really thought I was in Observing, honest! Could the mods move this for me?

[blinky]

Thanks for the report WH Saturn has to be my favourite object, I have never visually tried my Barlow in my scope. I keep it for using with the webcam, I think I might try next time though as I really want to see that alien casino you mention

It's good to hear you finally got out again, the weather hear last night was about 0degrees and completly clouded over

[maroon bells]

It sounds quite similar to the views we have had of Saturn from here so you not alone. There was one night last week that was very good apparently but it was too cold for me as I don't have a dew heater and am a bit of a weed anyway.

I always ignore what people say about max mag and usually whop my 8mm Xcel on my 2 times Barlow and It doesn't seem to degrade the image that much. I just start getting a lot of image drift.

[MartinB]

An enjoyable read WH. I had a look at some charts a little while ago which showed average amounts of cloud cover around the world. The UK and your bit of Canada are just about the cloudiest areas on the planet

[geppetto]

Pleased you got out at last mate 8)

Interested in your views of Saturn, in three years I've only

managed to see Saturn with excellent detail twice, on two of those

rare nights when seeing was perfect.

[garymcgrory]

A fine report WH, it's nice just to get out and hit a few targets. I was out with a nice cigar about 2 weeks ago, classic FM on the radio and a very warm pair of gloves (almost set my hands on fire towards the end!). I felt 10 years old again, the only word to describe it was glee!

I have been known to take a flask of single malt out with me to ward off the cold but read somewhere that alcohol adversely effects your night vision, so tend to observe sober- please someone tell me that this is not true!

Gary

[tom.yates]

Good report WH, Saturn always a fav of mine i am also getting a lot out of viewing the moon these days as-well

[SteelRat]

Real glad you got out for some viewing WH. As it's been around -16 out your way lately I'm not that suprised you felt warm at a MERE -8

Nice report

[blinky]

I have been known to take a flask of single malt out with me to ward off the cold but read somewhere that alcohol adversely effects your night vision, so tend to observe sober- please someone tell me that this is not true!

Does not look good for drinking and observing!

Alcohol affects night vision by keeping the pupils from adapting from darkness to light....Contrast sensitivity can be reduced...

[The Warthog]

A fine report WH, it's nice just to get out and hit a few targets. I was out with a nice cigar about 2 weeks ago, classic FM on the radio and a very warm pair of gloves (almost set my hands on fire towards the end!). I felt 10 years old again, the only word to describe it was glee!

I have been known to take a flask of single malt out with me to ward off the cold but read somewhere that alcohol adversely effects your night vision, so tend to observe sober- please someone tell me that this is not true!

Gary

I love scotch, but I am afraid that if I took a flask out with me, and had a mishap with the scope, I would have no defense. Also, alcohol reduces your resistance to cold, in spite of what you've heard. So does smoking, but you don't inhale on a cigar, right?