Observing the night sky (lenses)

[Jamie2011360]

Hello everyone, 

I am relatively knew to astronomy and have purchased a telescope for Christmas.

After using it I am thrilled to be able to see the moons of Jupiter, although I cannot see any detail of the planet or any others for that matter. I am curios to know how I can go about achieving greater detail while observing those planets.

I am thinking that it has something to do with the lens as my two range from 10mm to 20mm but I want to be sure that is the issue before I spend money.

My telescope is the Celestron Astromaster 130eq

Thanks to anyone who is willing to help

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @Jamie2011360 and welcome to SGL. 

From my limited experience there are two ways to tackle this.

1… Purchase a zoom e/p. They are available in 7-21mm or 8-24mm options… or purchase a planetary zoom eyepiece.

For general use, the 8-24mm is the most popular. I have a 7-21mm. It does its job. For higher power there is the TeleVue 3-6mm Nagler or the SV215 3-8mm. The SV215 is the cheaper planetary zoom. I have both and no regrets buying either. The downside to zoom e/p’s is the field of view can be a limiting factor. For comparison, the FOV of the Nagler is about 50deg and  the SV215 is about 56deg… both about on par of a Plossl e/p. For the 7-21mm and 8-24mm zooms, the FOV decreases as you go higher up in power.

2… The alternative is e/p’s of fixed focal lengths. I would advise against buying an e/p set as the tend to have focal lengths close to each other. My suggestion for individual e/p’s would be 8, 15, 26 or 32mm if limited to Plossl’s. Other e/p types are available and so to does the price.

To add more detail and contrast, you could consider some filters. Start with a variable polarising filter, and a Neodymium. Colour filters tend to be a ‘marmite’ thing.

Edited January 4 by RT65CB-SWL

[Jamie2011360]

Thanks, this helps a lot

 

[Mr Spock]

I'd suggest two eyepieces. The supplied 20mm eyepiece is really poor. I'd suggest something like the new Ursa Major 25mm https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ursa-major-eyepieces/ursa-major-fmc-flatfield-eyepiece-25mm.html That will give you x26 over a really wide field. Ideal for targets like the Pleiades. Currently £36.

Next you'll want something for planets. The Svbony 3-8mm wins easily here, going from x80 to x185 https://www.svbony.com/sv215-planetary-zooms-eyepiece/?srsltid=AfmBOorYhFTOwEoBZ_bbhe6cPAG6z29Wi2UfQrr26x0GhVNJTtE44cNH#W9166A Currently £87.99

[DirkSteele]

It is also possible that your collimation needs adjusting on the scope which is critical for it to perform at its best. No eyepiece will counter poorly aligned optical elements.

 

Astrobaby wrote a great how-to guide several years ago. On the link below.

https://www.astro-baby.com/astrobaby/help/collimation-guide-newtonian-reflector/