jstange's viewing thread

[jstange2]

I just got in from looking at Jupiter. I was stoked, because I actually got to see Jupiter and 3 moons (Europa, Lo, and Ganymede). I thought there were 4 but it is just another star slightly out of line with the others.
I looked with a barlow 2x and a 6.4mm plossl. Is there a way to see more detail without distortion? So many questions and so many things yet to learn.
I have been perusing the site for a while now and the more I learn, the more Q's I have. Oh, well. At least I am a fast learner.

Josh

This site is great.

[Vinnie]

Good Idea for a new thread, Josh!

OK, two points come to mind re distortion, well three actually

First off, a barlowed 6.4 in your scope is trying to push you past 300x Mag, sure that's within the theoretical capability of the scope, but more often than not, your sky conditions will limit you to 200x or less (air currents, LP, whether the object you are observing is high or low in the sky, dust, smog etc)

Also most deep sky viewing is more satisfactory at quite low mags, where you can take advantage of capturing more light from dim fuzzies. It is nice to be able to crank up the mag on the planets, but its just not always possible

Second, are you allowing sufficient cool down time for the scope?

Third, have you checked your collimation?

[jstange2]

After my last post, I started thinking about it and I think all of your points are my problems. From my guesstimate and using stellarium after I got in, Jupiter was probably about 11* from the horizon and I was looking over part of the city (only 14,000 people here, but enough pollution still). I think that I probably need at least an hour of cool down and only had about 40 minutes (72* F inside and 25* F outside). And I checked the collimation (to my best ability) and the secondary was slightly out of adjustment.
On a positive note, I figured out how to use the dual-axis drive that I got with it. And, the fact that I actually got a decent look at Jupiter still has me feeling good. I'm sure I'll get better in the future, but the learning is the best part for me.
Thanks for the input Vinnie

Josh

[Vinnie]

Josh, your learning curve was always going to be steep with that scope and mount combo.

But you'll get on fine, patience and enthusiasm you obviously have.

As far as Cool Down is concerned, if you do want to have a look around a bit prematurely, you'll generally get reasonable views at lower mags on bright objects even when the scope is still a bit warm.

Say you view Jupiter at 80x (barlowed 25 in your scope) and all is OK, but you crank up to say 200x (barlowed 10 for you) and it just plain blurs out. This is a typical indication of lack of cool down. Well there's nothing to stop you observing for a while at the lower mag, then trying for higher a bit later. (but sometimes the sky conditions just won't allow that, then very occasionally you will just get that special night where you can crank up to 300x or 400x or even more)

This doesn't necessarily apply with DSO's however, as these are so much dimmer than the main planets.

I should also add that almost every beginner, in the early days, tries to go all out for maximum mag every time they observe. You'll figure soon enough that it doesn't necessarily work that way.

Just as a point, also, when I start talking about magnification, I am almost always talking planetary viewing, sometimes about splitting doubles. Magnification is a secondary issue with DSO's and usually very low mags with wide fields of view and plenty of eye relief at the EP are your best bet.

[admin]

Awesome lucky guy, we are still waiting for the clouds to clear after 5 weeks here in Sydney but its great to hear from people that are actually enjoying their scopes Tell us more, and post photos if you have some!

[DizzyGazer]

Jstang,

Just reading your posts about your experiences with the new scope are great to read about for us new kid; let's us know what new adventures lie out there!... (I'm still up at 0130 reading about types of scopes...just the fundamentals..LOL)

Seeing your comments about Saturn just jazzes the heck out of me.

Vinnie: You are a true and patient teacher. Good to be on a site that is pleasant, and the folks are so helpful.

ISO

[Vinnie]

Originally Posted by ISO2BWELL

Jstang,
Vinnie: You are a true and patient teacher. Good to be on a site that is pleasant, and the folks are so helpful.
ISO

You haven't met my evil twin who hangs around the "off topic"

[powerwindows1985]

Hey Josh

Glad to see your enjoying your new scope. The way I get around the cool down process is to keep my scope in the garage. The only problem with this (I hear) is the high humidity in summer is hard on the mirror.
I haven't gotten out much recently. A few moments with the binos before work. Next weekend, however, the skies are supposed to be clear, we are under a new moon, and I have a 5 day weekend. I intend to make up for lost time.

Keep posting your observations; I enjoy reading about what others are seeing.

[jstange2]

Power, I usually try to put the scope out on my porch before sundown (no garage, porch has roof) but last night the opening in the clouds was unexpected. It's looking like maybe Tuesday, Wednesday, and maybe Friday could be decent nights. My fingers are crossed.

What should I look for in a pair of binoc's? I have a pair I got out until I realized how small they are (use them for archery hunting since you can't shoot to far anyway) until I got them out. I think we are going to Cabela's to check out some new coveralls and winter work coat since my stuff has seen it's better day, so I'll have to check out the binoc's. So much to do, such little time.

Josh

[Vinnie]

I'd say the most popular Bins for astro use are 10x50 porros

10x50 because that's about the limit that the average person can hold steady by hand, and porro prisms give sharper night sky images than roof prisms

There are a huge range of brands and models, and price ranges. Most of the popular scope brands have bins, and are quite acceptable quality.