Craig20264 Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I was fortunate to catch Saturn for the first time at around 5-45am this morning before going off to work. It was so clear and crisp, absolutely wonderful, and I plan to spend a lot of time studying it over my days off, however I also now want to catch Uranus which I know is a far greater challenge due to it's distance from us mere mortals. I am under no illusions that it will be anything more than a bluish spot, but would still like to see for myself.Do you guys have any tips or pointers for finding it. I've just had a quick scan and following Stellarium, took a line from Venus around a third of the way up towards Jupiter, but no joy. Venus has now disapeared over the houses to the West of me so will leave it for another night. Am I better waitng until Uranus is higher in the sky? Is it visible in a finderscope or is it a case of trawling the area slowly with my main scope?As always all help appreciated.Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Flinty Fox Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I managed to see it through my bins a couple of weeks ago using stellarium, my first view. I think its a question of trying to identify the star patterns around the planet. I zoom in on the area using stellarium to an area in size that matches the fov of my bins and sort of try and match things up. When i think i have found it, i then go back a few days later to see if it has 'moved' and then compared it again to stellarium.I have only been using this software for only a few weeks but is proving very productive. I am still new at this hope this helps.Cheers:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig20264 Posted February 1, 2012 Author Share Posted February 1, 2012 That was my downfall this evening I think, not enough happening early in the West to use as pointers, hence the line I tried to take between Venus and Jupiter. I think I may have more luck higher in the sky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manok101 Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 It's tricky to spot and easy to miss. I've seen it a few times with my goto and would probably not even know it was a planet if I had not had goto. I agree, a good map will help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamp thing Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 This is deffinitily an area of observing that having a Goto is very, very useful.IMO because DSO,s don't move they're no problem to find but telescopic planets, and other solar system minor bodies is where a Goto really shows its metal.Uranus is only just beyond visual range so any sort of optical aid will easily locate it. I find it's colour less obvious than Neptunes, but I think my eyes seem more blue sensitive than others.Even in a finder it does have a certain non stellar look about it (similar to a naked eye Planet), and in your main scope you should recognise it straight away.Good hunting and clear skiesRegards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig20264 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Many thanks for the replies guys, hopefully Saturday night will be the night, although we are forecast snow down this neck of the woods:(Fingers crossed the MET is wrong again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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