Jupiter 'Too' Bright

[Akyra]

Does anyone find this a problem?

When I look up at Jupiter through the scope with a x2 barlow & 15mm the planet is just too bright to see any detail, cloud bands, etc.

This seems like the complete opposite problem that DSO's have - Being 'Faint' Fuzzies.....

[GazOC]

I suspect the altitude is to blame for the lack of detail.

[Ant]

I agree wth Gaz, Jupiter is fairly bright but you should be able to see plenty of detail.

I looked at it the other day(night) and found almost no details visible at all - just a boiling mess!

Ant

[Andrew*]

I thought this about Saturn. Never saw Cassini clearly in my 8" :?

Thought it was too bright for detail

Andrew

[Rob]

Seeing has to be good to get detail on the planets. You will also find that 7 out of 10 summer nights provide a boiling mess!!..

[Ant]

If you think that it is too bright, then you could maybe try a variable polarising filter.

This has two layers and will darken and lighten as you turn one against the other. Very good for getting the brightness "just right" on the moon.

But the moon is much brighter, but the detail isn't lost die to brightness.

The polarising filters are not that expensive luckely - besides you could always use it on the moon if it doesn't help Jupiter!

Ant

[robindurant]

One thing I tried with the bright Jupiter was to cut a cardboard circle to fit over the end of the scope with a 3" round hole cut in it. It restricted the light input without destroying the detail. You can try other size holes.

[legion48]

One thing I tried with the bright Jupiter was to cut a cardboard circle to fit over the end of the scope with a 3" round hole cut in it. It restricted the light input without destroying the detail. You can try other size holes.

I sometimes leave my Hartman mask on after getting focus on Jupiter or Venus. It actually does a good job on cutting down the brightness.

[gsjag]

Interesting. Someone on the Questar yahoo group made a similar observation the other day saying that he tried a friends ETX90 (with EHTC coatings) against his Questar and found the light transmission through the Meade so strong that almost all detail was lost. His Q on the other hand provided plenty of detail of the cloud bands. I have to say that Jupiter has never really revealed much to me through my ETX and as it doesn't take magnification well, is a little bit disappointing.

Gary

[tom.yates]

Just to low at the mo

[saturn5]

Have you tried using colour filters,i quite often use a pale yellow when observing saturn,it also works on jupiter,it enhances the surface detail and will also slightly reduce the brightness,i also find that blue filters seem to enhance the contrast of the great red spot,dont ask me why :?,it works for me anyway,if anyone knows why blue works on jupiter let me know please.

[Sixu]

I've been looking at Jupiter (time and weather permitting) for about two days now. When I first started, I shared your opinion that it's "too bright" to see any surface detail (cloud bands) but actually, this is untrue. Last night I could make out the bands and moons quite clearly. Yes, Jupiter was very bright but, you have to let your eyes adjust and be able to adapt.

Trust me, it does pay off.

[proflight2000]

I tried taking a few pictures of Jupiter the other night, it was so bright that even taking a quick snap was too much, it was either get a blob of light and the moons, or loose the moons and get a toned down version. But I can see the bandings if i look long enough.