Viewing Planets

[Space Oddity6]

Hey guys,

This is my first post and I was wondering if you could help me.

I recently (about a week ago) finally got a telescope after years of thinking about getting one. I consulted a specialist who recommended me the Skywatcher Explorer 130 which I got. After familiarising myself with the knobs and general control of it etc, I took it outside, getting some fantastic detail of the Moon, but not much more. I picked out Mars and Saturn to observe but both came out as tiny pinpricks with no detail, I couldn't see the rings of Saturn even though the product description says I should be able to.

I was wondering if there was something I am doing wrong or if it's more to do with the conditions of viewing at the moment. I do have the patience and time (home for the summer from uni!) but it is slightly disheartening.

Any help would be great.

[maximR]

What you viewed wasn't Saturn or Mars, they were stars. Stars remains like pin pricks of light no matter how much magnification you use, although, they may appear brighter.

Make sure you know the constellations and the position of the planets, you can download the Stellarium software. Saturn is striking even with low power, you can easily see the rings, and it's brighter than a star. You won't mistake it.

As for Mars, it may appear like a star this period of the year, as it is far from us now, so it may be a little tougher to spot. With a high power, Mars would be like a little blob, maybe with some surface details, but may be harder to be noticed.

What you should do is get a planisphere or a star chart, they help you locate objects easily.

I hope this helps.

Clear skies

[Moonshane]

I suspect you were looking at Arcturus and not Saturn. If you look down and bit and to the right from Arcturus (the most obvious reddish star in the south as it gets dark) you'll see Saturn - looks smaller and yellower than Arcturus. You will definitely see th rings even with the 25mm eyepiece and certainly with the 10mm that came with the scope. good luck!

[brianb]

Just remember that the rings are edge on - you will see a bright bar like a toothpick stuck through an olive, not the "classic" tilted ring presentation (which will return in a year or two).

[Chris H]

What eyepiece were you using? You may have been looking in the right places but not have enough magnification to show you any detail.

[brantuk]

Try downloading "stellarium" - free planetarium software - it's a must have for any amateur astronomer and will give you the precise location of saturn and everything else. Identify the nearest constellation and which bright star it's near then you'll find it with the 25mm no probs. Use the barlow with the 25mm or the 10mm on it's own for a bit more magnification. Alternatively get up at 3am and look for Jupiter lol. That's stunning too

Oh - and concentrate on polar alignment as near as possible (doesn't have to be perfect) - then you can track the planets in one axis only (i.e. turning only the right ascension control knob)

[paulbeer]

i myself had the 130 and could clearly see the rings of Saturn with both the 10mm and 25mm ep, i think Shane is right and you were viewing Arcturus, id definitely download Stellarium or get ya hands on a planisphere or a star chart.

paul

[Demonperformer]

like a toothpick stuck through an olive.

Perfect description - unmistakable

[Llamanaut]

like a mexican riding a bike as viewed from above

[Space Oddity6]

Thanks for your replies guys, I've just downloaded Stellarium so hopefully I can get it right for tonight if the skies are clear enough. I think I must have been viewing a star, it was just up and to the left of the moon last night.

To Brantuk, yes I have seen Jupiter, not through the telescope but before I bought it, I got up for a toilet break at about 4am and, as my bedroom window looks out into the east I had a perfect view. I was amazed at how bright it was, just a shame about the time of day!

[tarqs101]

Can I also recommend Google's Sky Map if you have an Android mobile - amazing!!

[John]

like a mexican riding a bike as viewed from above

Nice description

Jupiter - like a mexican playing boules as viewed from above.

Mars - like a very thin mexican with a small pink/orange hat with a bird dropping on one side of it, as viewed from above

[LukeSkywatcher]

I suspect you were looking at Arcturus and not Saturn.

Easy mistake to make. It still catches me out. I see it naked eye and think it is Saturn and aim the scope at it only to find out that its Arctutus. Naked eye...........they are VERY similar.

[sneeka]

Jupiter - like a mexican playing boules as viewed from above.

Mars - like a very thin mexican with a small pink/orange hat with a bird dropping on one side of it, as viewed from above

Orion Nebula - a mexican who's been run over by a truck

[Johnboy]

Orion Nebula - a mexican who's been run over by a truck

As viewed from above.

[Llamanaut]

eagle nebula, like two mexicans riding a tandem who've been run over by a truck as viewed from above

[Demonperformer]

Surprised no one has mentioned M104 in relation to mexicans (as viewed from above:D)