Jupiter's GRS

[Johnofwa]

Hi everyone....I'm new to this so you'll have to bear with me !
Can somebody give me an idea about whether a 12" dobsonian will allow me to see the great red spot of Jupiter.

[matt]

Yes it will. Very easily:)

Depending on the focal length of your scope, you'll need a reasonably high powered eyepiece. I'd say something around the 10-15ml range should be OK for average to good seeing.

And it's even easier to see if you use a filter.

I think there's a filter guide somewhere in Resources?

[Johnofwa]

Thanks Matt
I'm considering what make/size to get and have been browsing the miriad of posts within this site. I think it's terrific for boyh new and old astronomy buffs.

[DougAdams]

I easily saw it in my 8" dob all the time. Viewed Jupiter for the first time over Easter with my newer 12" and it must have been on the flip side, as I couldn't spot it. Saw an amazing amount of detail in the bands though.

Just be prepared for it to be the Great Pale Tan Spot through the eyepiece :)

[DARKMATTER]

Hi I'm real new to this and I have question.

where would I look for jupiter at the moment?

I can find saturn easily and have been trying to follow what i think(guess) is the rough plane of the planets but to kno avail?

Some pointers would be appreciated!

Thanks

paul

[DougAdams]

Paul, look due east at about 10am for a very bright "star" that doesn't flicker. It'll be the brightest thing there so you can't miss it. Just below Antares if you can find Scorpius. It's rises much higher in the southern skies compared to Saturn, so you have to look "up" more :)

[ving]

yup, you dont need a 12" to see the grs thats for sure. I have a 8" and if the grs is on the correct side of the planet then i can see it regarless of seeing usually. just be sure that if the seeing is bad or jupiter is low towards the horizon you back teh magnification off a bit :)

i can spot it at 80x magnification which is a 15mm eyepiece in a 1200mm focal length scope.

[DARKMATTER]

ok thanks!!

I'll try that, think I know where you mean.

cheers

[DARKMATTER]

Just checked my planisphere, I was in that general direction BUT I have massive trees right behind my house and it would have been just out of sight, bumming!

Looks like it's time to move...

[DougAdams]

Err, make that 10pm. You won't have a lot of luck at 10am. :ashamed:

[DARKMATTER]

lol, yeah I figured.

Thanks again!

[iceman]

It's best to wait until Jupiter is up much higher before trying to view it. Anything less than 30° altitude will give you disappointing views.. Best views will be over 45° and higher.

[DARKMATTER]

yeah Thanks, I got up around 4 30am an it was pretty high in the sky.

Got ashaky look at it in my cheap scope but my sky is verry small where I am living.
Going to have to plan a viewing!

[DARKMATTER]

haha should read before I post ehh!

lol

[samchng]

Definitely! Even with a 2.4" scope you can see the GRS. You just need to know how to locate it and at the right time. :lol:

[Geoff]

Hi, Finding things? I use "Starry Night" on the laptop outside instead of star charts. I have a red celophane filter attached with clips over the screen, as well as the "Red screen" ajustment on the program. I havn't used charts for years. You can download upgrades for comets etc. I use the program to look ahead in time to check planets and their moons positions and to plan and print an obseving session. Also if the timer on the laptop is accurate you can find anything using setting circles and a basic inclinometer on the scope. You can zoom in to set up the view to match the telescope view and even switch the image upside down and mirror.
Good ad for Starry Night? Not cheap but its been great.
Cheers
Geoff

[DARKMATTER]

Sounds great but for the moment, I'll stick to my
" hey, that's not flickering, might be a planet? " Method......lol

bit beyond me at the moment!