Uranus and Neptune

[Astro-Nova]

Anyone got tips how to find these 2 planets and how to recognize them when found? Any certain magnification I have to use?

I fancy another challenge

[JamesF]

Uranus isn't a major problem. You should easily recognise it as a disc. You'll quite probably need a fairly high magnification to pick Neptune out from the stars. When I found it I only knew it was Neptune because there weren't any stars where I could see a point of light, but that's all it was. That was with the 127 Mak though. With the 200P it should be easier I'd have thought.

James

[swamp thing]

Use Stellarium to print yourself out some finder maps.

For some strange reason I always find Neptune a more vivid striking colour than Uranus and therefore easier to locate in the finder.

I find Uranus a little more bland and colourless.

This is, I hasten to add, probably just me as most find them the other way round.

Uranus I've not seen any detail on and presents a featureless disc to me. You will be able to resolve it easy enough in your 8" scope.

Neptunes tiny blue disc needs quite a bit more power but you should still see it easy in your 8". I've observed considerable limb darkening on its tiny disc with a 16" scope, but not much else, yet.

[Astro-Nova]

thank you, i shall try it next. One last question, are dark skies required or would my back garden be alright? Lots of light pollution here you see

[swamp thing]

No, LP makes no difference with planets. You're good to go from wherever. The only problem from LP surroundings can be finding guide stars to help point you to the correct locations of the telescopic planets. Good luck and let us all Know how you et on.

[Astro-Nova]

thank you, I will do