Saturn in my sights

[rapidfire]

wow....happy me. I have spent the last 2 nights outside with my new favourite hobby and Saturn. He looks so amazing just hanging up there. I love my telescope!!!
I was viewing with a 4.5inch Newt at 225x mag with my 4mm eyepeice but that was proving to be rather a strain on my eye. But it was good fun. I switched to a 12.5mm and a 3x barlow to get similar magnification but its a cheapie and nasty barlow so not such a good view. I think i'll have to get a good quality barlow and maybe a better eyepeice for eyestrain too. Still, this is my first planet sighting and I am heaps pumped.

[DobDobDob]

It's good fun - huh? :thumbsup:

[ving]

saturn rox my jox too :)

much better than jupiter :P

thanks for telling us aobut it...
I too have heard that a good quality barlow makes all the difference :)

[PeteMo]

Certainly my fave planet. The first time I saw it was through my Tasco 4.5" Reflector, and even though it was tiny I could clearly see it has a ring. I tried using the 4mm eyepiece/contact lens (gives you some idea of what zero eye relief feels like) but it was difficult to see much, so I used a lower power.

As for Barlows, I found my GSO 2 x Barlow made things more blurry and really dimmed the light, so I no longer use it.

At the moment Saturn is the first thing I look at when I get my scope out.

[rapidfire]

Jupiter has been the latest inspiration....I love the Galilean moons. They just are the coolest thing ever i think. I can see banding on Jupiter. Altho no GRS. Perhaps colour filters will help clarify the detail.....and now Mars is nearing as well, altho I havent found him in my sights yet, but this weekend I might give it a shot. Is it just an amazing time in the Universe right now?? or just newbie me getting the hang of his scope addiction.....

I might have to come to the Snake Valley Astro Camp and share this crazy obsession I have.

[erick]

I'm sure you'll be made very welcome.

I hope to get there for one evening - it'll be the November camp before I can stay. :sadeyes:

[ving]

ahh, the dance of the Galilean moons... quite hynotic