planets

[sasup]

should I be able to spot the planets clearly with my 6" reflector eq mount. Useing a barlow 3x gso and eye pieces from 6mm- 9mm 15mm 25- and a 35mm possel. I could see a planet last night with two moons but could not make out any detail. If I can't see this no chance of dep space.

[Ingo]

Yeah you should be able to see some detail on the planets. I was checking out jupiter last night and it looked like it had two moons too, so maybe that's what you were looking at.

[iceman]

Hi Sasup.

A 6" reflector is plenty big enough to see detail on the planets. Not only planets though - you will easily see some incredible deep space objects such as bright globular clusters, open clusters, nebulas and bright galaxies.

Having said that, a newtonian needs to be loved. To be loved means, you need to collimate it. If you haven't learn collimation yet, please don't be scared. It's important to know the light path through your telescope and ensure that all the mirrors line up properly. That's all collimation is. A bit of tweaking of the mirror angles to ensure the view is sharp and crisp. If you collimation is off, your views will always be slightly blurry or soft.

Secondly, what time were you viewing Jupiter (it was Jupiter you were looking at I assume - a very bright star in the East)? It rises before 9pm but don't start viewing it until after 10pm when it's over 30deg in the sky. Even higher if you've got the patience to wait.
The higher it is, the less atmosphere you're looking through and the better the views will be.

Thirdly, we have a jetstream right over us in Sydney at the moment - that means there's high-speed high-altitude winds roaring up in the atmosphere that does terrible things to the light as it comes down into your telescope. It robs all detail and you end up with a blurry, wobbly mess.

Keep asking questions and learn more about your scope and the sky - and things will improve.

Also, if you can make it, on May 19th we're having a viewing night at Kulnura on the Central Coast (near Gosford). There'll be small and large (up to 20"!!!) telescopes there. You will see some AMAZING things, and we can help you out with your scope (collimation!) if it needs it.

Hope i've helped.

[sasup]

Yes it must be Jupiter I was looking at. Was out tonight same thing blury and quick moving. But unreal the way it just sits there. I would love to come on the 19th. I just bought a house and we move in on the 11th so I might be able to come. Could I have details of how to get there?

[iceman]

Great!

Check these 2 threads:
Kulnura - 19th May (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=19768)

Map to Kulnura (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=14925)

[sasup]

thanks. going back out to see if I can get a better angle

[KG8]

Iceman

I'm in the inner suburbs, brisbane. What would you suggest looking at on nights when the moon is up and the jet stream is playing havock? I have a 3.5 inch mak and 13mm and 43mm EP's I also have a clear view south but not north. Would this be a good time to look around the pole to try and get a feel for the pole stars, or are they too dim from the city?

BTW, I don't have an equatorial mount, just an old manfrotto tripod.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Hi KG8 .... I live up on the Sunny Coast in an area with good southern views so our respective outlooks are pretty similar.

When the moon is up and bright as it is at present it really does intrude on much of your viewing, :shrug: however Saturn to the N/NE (position depending on what time of the evening you look) is good. Try looking for the semi-brightish star about due north in the early evening, 3 degree elevation or so.

Jupiter as stated above is great viewing, and has up to 4 moons that may be visible at any given time - same viewing times & positions for us as for the guys down south. It is quite simply THE brightest thing apart from the moon in the eastern sky after 7:30 pm or so.

If I were you however for a rich area of the sky I'd simply start by looking a little east of south and about 30 - 40 degrees elevation, this puts you into the area of the southern cross, and from there a fairly "milky" part fo the Milky Way.

Check out the individual 4 points of the Southern Cross, it's in a great position in the sky in the early evenings. 3 of those 4 points have close or very close companion stars, you may be surpised what you find. :thumbsup:

Once you've done that (look for the lovely Jewel Box Cluster - an small but very pretty "A" shaped star cluster just below and left of the left "side" star" of the cross - not the "top" star of the kite shape, if you follow me).
:P

Once you've enjoyed the area of the Cross just follow the broad "milky" band of stars heading across to the right from the cross (anging upwards in the earlier night hours) and you will find that whole area of the band of the Milky Way is full of star groups, clusters and generally "starry" areas!
:eyepop:

One of the fine gents on this site - Astroron - has a 2 acre "yard" out near Kenilworth that has very nice dark skies, and a number fof us from the SE Qld area meet up there once a month or so around the time of the full moon. Keep an eye on the "Star Parties and Observing Sessions" threads for dates, etc - look for the word Cambroon (that's his location) in the title, I'm sure you would be most welcome to come along and meet others, see scopes, enjoy some viewing, etc.
:astron:

Hope to meet you soon - enjoy your scope!
Steve
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=19836

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=8808

[KG8]

thanks for the list steve. That jewel box is an amazing little cluster, can't wait to see it under a really dark sky. I got to watching the binary in centaurus there, the left one I think. I was trying to measure it's separation somehow but I needed to work out the field of view in my 13mm, I have a formula now so will try again. I also found that little red star above gamma crux ( I think it is) Not easy to see but worth the hunt. At the moment I am using a little 90mm celestron mak but should have a C11 up soon if I can get an EQ6 from the boys on the gold coast. Then we will have some fun.

I see you have a get together there up near Malany, I will be up at Leyburn that weekend with the SAS, I'm a new member there. Have a good one and catch ya soon.