Getting the most out of Jupiter?

[Ags]

I have had a couple of looks at Jupiter lately - the first time I have seen the planet for a couple of decades! But I've been a bit disappointed with what I have managed to get out of my telescope (102mm Mak) - basically I see a small brilliant disk cut by a dark band and a fainter band. Most of the planet is too bright and dazzling to see any modulation or detail. Jupiter is so bright it is a bit unpleasant. I've tried a higher magnification to reduce the surface brightness, but that doesn't do enough and the seeing has not been good enough for the higher magnification anyway.

Any tips or tricks?

[Earl]

It might be worth using a moon filter to bring it down a bit.

Different Colour filters are also worth playing with if you have any.

[Polar Bear]

Filtering is the way to go. Don't forget what you are looking at is a sunny day on Jupiter , just the same as when viewing the moon and as with photographing bright objects you need to alter the exposure . Neutral Density filters are also useful as used in photography. Just experiment.

[Ags]

Thanks - I want to avoid spending yet more money though. I'm hoping that there is a low-cost trick. Next time I am going to go indoors and deliberately ruin my night vision - perhaps my eyes will deal with the glare better then, if I don't trip over the scope in the dark...

[John]

As with other planets, and many other astro objects for that matter, I've found that spending time observing is the key to teasing the subtle detail out. When I first viewed Jupiter with my 102mm refractor a few days back, at first I saw more or less what you did. After I'd been observing the planet for a hour or so and tried a few eyepieces, actually backing off the power to get the sharpest resolution rather than the largest image, I found the subtle details starting to show themselves including 2 thin belts just to the north of the NEB, the salmon pink Great Red Spot, uneveness in the edges of the NEB and hints of the much-faded SEB as well. Clouds then spoiled my fun but I feel there was more to come if I'd been able to continue observing.

Filters may help as well but time at the eyepiece really brings results as well

[Talitha]

John's right about spending time at the eyepiece to squeeze out the details, but if the planet's truly too bright for comfort you might try wearing sunglasses as a quick fix or make an aperture mask for the scope using ordinary cardboard.

[Ags]

Thanks for the suggestions. Moon filters look quite cheap so i might buy one of those after all. I think I will try to make an aperture mask first. Spending time observing has been a problem too, as I have been racing against dew both times I have looked at Jupiter. Another DIY project will be a dew shield...

[John]

.... I have been racing against dew both times I have looked at Jupiter. Another DIY project will be a dew shield...

Re: dew shields, with a Mak or SCT I think the motto has to be "never leave home without one"

[Ogri]

ScopeTeknix Dual 1.25" polarising filters for Lunar astronomy

I picked these up to try and they seem ok for the money. One on its own works nicely for me during daytime for terrestrial viewing, but haven't had a chance to use them in earnest at night yet (clouds, clouds, yet more clouds . . . . . ).

If one isn't enough I'll use the second as well and rotate for optimum reduction.