Tinderboxsky
03-06-2015, 11:10 PM
After what seems to have been an eternity, we are being rewarded with a night of superb seeing, 5/5 and 7/7 transparency.
I have had my best views of Saturn on record despite the nearby full Moon. The disc is exceptionally clear with multiple banding and crisp sharp edges. The Cassini Division is clear and dark and there is obvious variations across the Rings. I had my first hint of the planet's shadow on the rings as we move away from Opposition. Only 3 moons were visible, the others swamped by the Moon. Best views were at 200x. I tried 320x and whilst the image was sharp and clear there was no more detail to see as this is pushing the limits of the aperture at these magnifications.
Turning to Antares, tonight is providing an easy split. Antares is a bright sharp and discreet orange fanta coloured spot and it's companion clear and distinct just outside the faint second diffraction ring at 320x. Cannot see the green most people report. Probably need more aperture. Reducing magnification and the companion was still clearly visible at 150x.
Scope is Vixen NA140SS.
Steve.
I have had my best views of Saturn on record despite the nearby full Moon. The disc is exceptionally clear with multiple banding and crisp sharp edges. The Cassini Division is clear and dark and there is obvious variations across the Rings. I had my first hint of the planet's shadow on the rings as we move away from Opposition. Only 3 moons were visible, the others swamped by the Moon. Best views were at 200x. I tried 320x and whilst the image was sharp and clear there was no more detail to see as this is pushing the limits of the aperture at these magnifications.
Turning to Antares, tonight is providing an easy split. Antares is a bright sharp and discreet orange fanta coloured spot and it's companion clear and distinct just outside the faint second diffraction ring at 320x. Cannot see the green most people report. Probably need more aperture. Reducing magnification and the companion was still clearly visible at 150x.
Scope is Vixen NA140SS.
Steve.