Filters For Observing Jupiter ??

[Tamtarn]

We have great joy in observing Jupiter and we have read many varied opinions in reviews but the opinions differ as to which colour filter is best for different features.

We have tried different colours and find that the moon filter seems do the job reasonably well.

So guys and gals what colour filters do you find best to use to enhance the GRS....Festoons....White Spots.... etc ?? :doh:


Barb & David

[RAJAH235]

Well, it all comes down to just what you can discern with each coloured filter that you use.. Some say the #58 green & #12 Yellow are good for the bands etc. Personally, I find the #80A light blue is great for all the surface details.
Really a personal choice, as everyones eyes see different colours, ummmm, differently..:P...:D L.

[ving]

i prefer not to use filters (mainly cause i dont have any), but it is my understanding that the lightest of light blues works wonders on details.

[asimov]

As Vingster said.

[ving]

cause i am always right...

[asimov]

lol...

[Lester]

Hi,

the general rule is blue for observing atmospheric detail which is what the gas giants show us and red for surface detail which is Mars and I suppose Mercury (but never looked at Mercury much, don't think there is any visible detail at all).

[Merlin66]

When I started out observing in the early 60's with a small 50mm spectical blank single lens ( 1 diopter) refractor, cardboard tube Ex-Franks of Glasgow, it was recommended to use an 80a filter to see the GRS and belt details on Jupiter. I managed to convince myself that I COULD see some detail on the planet with such a set-up. Mind you the eyepiece was a small magnifying lens, certainly nothing like my plossls of today!!
Thinking back I could have saved thousands of dollars if I had stayed with that small homemade refractor..................

[ausastronomer]

I agree with all of what Rajah has said above.

I will also add the following. 56 (light green) works well at enhancing GRS and other reddish features as does 82A (very pale blue). I also have a not so common 81A pale coffee colour filter (almost transparent) which lifts everything, particularly when using very cool neutral eyepieces like Orthoscopics or Pentax XW's. I don't use it all the time but it's a great change. I also have a Y(K2) filter (pale lemon) and an 85B (pale orange)which lifts the cloud bands.

Now here is where it gets tricky. While I own a lot of planetary colour filters I still spend most of my time observing unfiltered. I only use a filter when I want to extract some additional specific detail in the target that I can't quite get unfiltered. That is probably less than 5% of the time I observe Jupiter.

Now here is where it gets even trickier. Don't skimp on the filters, if you are going to buy colour filters buy good ones, if you own a decent scope and eyepieces. There are other things important about the quality of the filter other than its mere colour tint alone. Particularly quality and smoothness of the glass surfaces and the antireflective coatings on the filter. A $10 colour filter in a $500 eyepiece in a $10,000 telescope gives $10 views. These cheap filters being sold by several dealers are made in China or Taiwan and are of very dubious quality. There are several companies that make very good quality filters. I actually use 2" Hoya filters. These are high quality Japanese made photographic filters that use a standard 48mm camera thread. They screw straight into a 2" eyepiece or a threaded 1.25"/2" adaptor. They cost about $30 each if you shop around. They are about 3 light years ahead of the Chinese stuff that costs not much less.

CS-John B

[ving]

i agree with everything above except that i am right all the time... i am obviously not :P

[danny]

I,ve always found time at the ep before the use of a filter helps. Once comfortable with the detail visible I tend to spend time using #80A blue to help enhance further details and #56 green brings out the GRS. I'd assume the smaller the apature the lighter the colour of filter used? Would I be correct in saying that????

[RAJAH235]

Yep. The better filters are "colour in glass", not "colour on glass". It's done in the 'molten' form when the 'glass' is being made. That way, a more uniform distribution is obtained..:poke:.. :D L.

[asimov]

As Ving said in post # 10...

[jaramillo]

Hi Barb and David,

this (http://www.baader-planetarium.de/zubehoer/okularseitiges_zubeh/farbfilter.htm#skyglow) (Skyglow) is an excellent filter for observing Jupiter and Mars. Many European amateurs swear on this filter for planetary and lunar observations. I can highly recommend it.

CS,

Mathias

[Tamtarn]

Thanks everyone for your input. :thumbsup: We hope this thread may have been a help to others as well who are a bit unsure of colour filters and their specific uses.

Knowing now the difference in the quality of filters we have ordered the Hoya 2" Made in Japan 81A and 82A which are both HMC multi coated and also a YK2.

We will try them out when we have some clear dark skies again. We're also looking forward to giving our new Pentax 7mm XW a first light in dark skies :D

Barb & David

[matt]

Hi Barb and David

Do you mind telling us where you purchased the Hoya filters from?

Thanks

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Barb & David,

I always find the site link below very helpful when explaining to people what different colour filters do.

Each colour is shown and a guide to which objects it works well on.

http://sciastro.net/portia/advice/filters.htm

[Tamtarn]

Hi Matt

Will send you a PM

David

[Tamtarn]

Thanks Ken

Will use the link for future reference

Barb & David

[ausastronomer]

Barb/David,

Why send that information in a PM? Others may also be interested.

CS-John B

[Tamtarn]

The only reason we sent a Pm re details was that on a previous post it was mentioned that it was not a good idea to mention overseas suppliers.

We had trouble finding the Hoya Filters that we wanted, then we found two different Hoya Suppliers in the US. These suppliers deal through ebay with new items one was Eastok and the other Maisonbiz.
Cost was $14.00 Aust each including postage.

Barb & David

[ausastronomer]

This mainly relates to buying Televue eyepieces from the USA. The reason this needs to be kept discreet is because Televue forces all its US dealers to sign a "Distribution Agreement" which precludes them selling Televue products outside the USA. This then enables Televue to have a local distributor in each country who it can charge what it likes for the eyepieces because astronomers in those overseas countries are technically only able to buy from their local supplier at exhorbitant prices.

There are a couple of US Televue dealers (only a couple) who will ship overseas, thereby saving the overseas consumer some $$$$. The names of those dealers needs to be kept from public record as they could lose their right to distribute if caught out.

There are no issues whatsoever naming overseas sources of other astronomical equipment.



That's a great price. The Hoya HMC colour filters are a top class filter and those prices are cheaper than the crappy "painted on colour" plastic filters.

Nice find and hope you enjoy them.

CS-John B

[Tamtarn]

Thanks John for clarifying the position re overseas purchases.

Barb & David

[Hammerman]

I've found that a variable polarizing filter works much better bringing out detail on Jupiter than any of my color filters. The VP brings down the brightness enough so that other detail stands out better. being it's variable you can adjust it for different scopes and different eyes.


Except some of us live overseas, and would like to know who they are. Hmm.... or is it you guys in Australia who live overseas? hmm..... LOL