Amazed what an 80mm refractor can show - the gas giants

[IB20]

Despite all my apps saying that tonight would be no good for observing, the skies were clear leading into the twilight so I grabbed the 80mm Starbase and let it cool in the garden for 15 mins and the first target was Saturn.

Started off with the 13mm DeLite (~62x) which showed a nice a bright planetary disc, sandy in colour with north equatorial belt banding. On moments of good seeing the Cassini division appeared and was lovely and sharp, particularly at the limbs of the rings. Moved up in magnification to the 8mm BST (100x), the colouration and contrast of the banding easier to make out as the disc brightness reduced and showing a lovely amount of depth and shadowing, the first time I've really been impressed by the 8mm BST and it completely nailed this target tonight.

For a laugh I thought I'd try the 5mm BST (160x), I've had success with this EP in the dob on Mars and I was pretty astounded that Saturn hadn't completely turned into mush through the EP. Dimmer and a touch softer which reduced the sharpness of the Cassini division but a very, very workable image and one I've savoured for a lot of time. After the success of the 5mm, I thought I'd chance my arm and try the 3.2mm BST (250x) for an even bigger laugh. I've only had success with this EP on the moon but was absolutely astounded when Saturn was still there and actually viewable. Don't get me wrong, the vibrations when focussing proved a bit tricky but when I finally got it in focus I was amazed that I could see Saturn still. Again, getting a much softer image, Cassini division pretty blurred but detectable. Genuinely blown away by this result and have really enjoyed viewing Saturn tonight.

Next target was the big guy following, Jupiter. Straight up I popped the 10mm BCO (80x) in the scope and focused in on the bright planetary disc and its three visible moons. I always tend to view Jupiter first and see if I can spot the GRS before confirming what I think I can see on Sky Safari. Well today, I initially thought that I had something on my EP lens, as there was a perfect black speck on in the left centre of Jupiter's equatorial belt. Underneath the speck but more centrally in the Southern Equatorial belt, I could make out the GRS. Then it dawned on me that actually the speck was possibly a moon transit shadow! Checking on SkySafari and it revealed that it was Io, I couldn't believe how sharp and visible the scope was showing this incredible event. I observed for some time and then Io appeared to the left of the planetary disc like a little ear, still tracking the shadow leaving the edge of the disc with the GRS lagging behind. I swapped in the 13mm Delite and I could still see this wonderful satellite transit. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is probably the best thing I have ever observed, it was stunning.

My little scope has completely blown me away tonight, there are some nights I think I would've loved to have seen this in the bigger dob, but not tonight. Tonight belongs to the 80mm Starbase, what a brilliant little gem of a scope. It's still set up too, so with that I'm off back to Jupiter! 

[callisto]

Great report, thanks for posting 

 

Mark

[Franklin]

I was trying out my new WO bino viewers tonight and saw Io and it's shadow leave Jupiters disk around 10pm ish. The seeing was very good and the high hazy clouds where acting like an ND filter. The bino's had x1.6 barlow in the nosepiece and a pair of BHZ eyepieces, 224x on the 8mm setting. The scope was a 102ed f11.

All I can say is WOW. I've seen a few shadow transits but through the binoviewers it was in 3D. Totally knocked my socks off. Plenty of belt detail and the GRS as well. Stunning.

Earlier viewing Saturn I saw the shadow of the planet on the rings, the shadow of the rings on the planet, the cassini division and the equatorial belts.

Getting to like this binoviewing, bit of a faff setting it all up but definately worth it.

[Franklin]

I read your review of the Starbase with interest and the images you have posted there are just amazing. You have a very fine 3" refractor there, enjoy!

[Franklin]

The fact that you can push the scopes limits with the BST 3.2mm in good seeing shows the quality of the optics.

I've put the Starbase on my xmas list. Still can't get over those pics you posted, they're like APO.

[RobertI]

39 minutes ago, IB20 said:

My little scope has completely blown me away tonight, there are some nights I think I would've loved to have seen this in the bigger dob, but not tonight. Tonight belongs to the 80mm Starbase, what a brilliant little gem of a scope. It's still set up too, so with that I'm off back to Jupiter! 

Great report and we’ll done for achieving some great observations with a relatively modest scope - sounds like a real gem. 👍

[RobertI]

23 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Getting to like this binoviewing, bit of a faff setting it all up but definately worth it.

Glad your enjoying the binoviewing, I’m been having a lot of fun with mine over the last year. It was a bit of a faff to start with, but now that I have selected a dedicated eyepiece/barlow combination for planetary, it’s always ready to go and no more difficult to attach than an eyepiece (a large one!). 🙂

[Franklin]

Yes, I didn't know what eyepieces to get for the bino's. The WO 20mm pair that came with the bino's work great and a wide field as well. I have had a Baader zoom for a while and am very impressed with it so I've picked up a another zoom second hand. It's all I need and they appear to be working great. The only faff is that when changing the magnification on the zooms I have to remember to hold the base of the eyepiece as well, so I don't turn the bino's diopter adjustments.

[IB20]

58 minutes ago, Franklin said:

The fact that you can push the scopes limits with the BST 3.2mm in good seeing shows the quality of the optics.

I've put the Starbase on my xmas list. Still can't get over those pics you posted, they're like APO.

It’s a great little scope. I’m having lots of fun with it and I reckon I’ve probably tripled my observing time, maybe even quadrupled since acquiring it. It’s just so easy to use. 

[IB20]

8” dob out tonight and cooling, conditions looking excellent.

[Pixies]

24 minutes ago, IB20 said:

8” dob out tonight and cooling, conditions looking excellent.

Same here. I'm expecting a lot of observing reports tomorrow morning!