Choose Your Favourite Planet

[Matty P]

Choose Your Favourite Planet. :thumbsup:

I am interested to see which planet in our solar system is the most popular to observe or image.

P.S. I know Pluto is considered a dwarf planet but I still regard it as the ninth planet in our solar system. So I decided to include it in the poll. :)

Please post which planet you selected.

[§AB]

I vote Jupiter. Just so much too see and it's never the same view twice.

[Outbackmanyep]

Saturn i think gets the WOW factor from the public as well as personally!

[Matty P]

My vote goes to Juptier. :D

I still remember the first time I saw Juptier through the eyepiece, I was speechless. :jawdrop:

[norm]

I'm quite impartial to Earth personally !;)

[Zuts]

I picked Saturn, it's awesome and i remember the images from the recent flyby, but Jupiter is awesome as well .........

Paul

[AJames]

I pick Venus. It is the brightest to the naked-eye, and it is a gross contradiction - sexy Goddess of Love and literally one "Hell" of a planet!!
(If you love a planet with Sulphuric Acid rain, heaps of Carbon dioxide,
and temperatures so hot that would incinerate a pizza - and that sort of stuff.)
:)

[madtuna]

I have to agree with Saturn...who doesn't remember thier first ever glimpse of those rings.
I'm not sure which was better, the first time I saw it, or the look of amazement and awe when my daughter saw it for the first time.
Both memories will stay with me for a lifetime.

[turbo_pascale]

I went with Jupiter, because it's the easiest to image because it's so big, plus there is a lot to see, always changing.

For "wow" factor, Saturn, just because of the rings.

[Matty P]

Here's a story,

On the same day that I saw Jupiter for the first time, I also saw Pluto (I'm pretty sure it was Pluto). At the time it was at around 14 magnitude. I selcted Pluto on my Goto scope and there it was, a pin point of light. What a night that was! :P

[edwardsdj]

I went for Jupiter. Jupiter and its moons are so dynamic. The rotation rate of the planet allows you to see so much in a single session.

I've often spent four or five hours continuously observing Jupiter :)

[Jarrod]

i voted Jupiter. although Saturn and Jupiter are almost equal as far as visual beauty goes, there is just more to see on Jupiter. This is even considering that a havent yet viewed Jupiter through my 10". im comparing a brief 8" SCT view of Jupiter with a my 10" newt view of Saturn.

Jarrod.

[iceman]

Earth should be there too! :) But I chose Jupiter, the king!

But for public session etc, Saturn is always a favourite and gets that WOW factor.

No one ever believes it's real!

Matty I doubt you saw Pluto - your 8" scope would struggle to see 14th mag and you wouldn't know pluto from all the other faint blurs :)

[Ric]

Saturn is my favourite, it was the first planet I saw with my first scope some 40 year ago and I still get a buzz when I see it now.

Cheers

[Matty P]

You're probably right but I am pretty sure it was somewhere there. :) Might be a good reason for a larger scope. :whistle: :lol:

[OneOfOne]

I picked Saturn, for the wow factor :eyepop: It was first planet I ever saw through a "real" telescope. It will be interesting to see what happens next year when some people will see Saturn for the first time ever...without rings! Without rings, it is just a little yellow blob!

Now if Jupiter had rings :eyepop: Or if Saturn had some more bright moons and some surface detail...

[Sharnbrook]

The first planet I ever saw was Saturn with a 6inch open truss reflector, not even on a mount, but propped against a low wall in the garden. That was in about 1979, but I shall never forget the impact it had on me.

Having said that, Earth really is the most amazing planet of all.

[kljucd1]

Hi,

I like Mars.

My decision to get into astronomy is based on some reading I did about the Moon and Mars, which means that my choice is mainly due to sentiment.

Regards

Daniel...

[Rodstar]

Saturn for me....a sentimental favourite. Like others have said, it had a huge impact on me when observing as a teenager with a friend's 60mm Tasco. When I show it to newbies, they are always completely amazed.

As far as practical observing goes, Jupiter is certainly the most dynamic planet, and the one that bears the most fruit from observing. I can completely understand why so many people have gone with Jupes.

[ausastronomer]

I went with Saturn as those rings are just something special as a piece of visual eye candy, irrespective of your experience as an amateur astronomer. I enjoy observing the moon and shadow transits on Jupiter and look forward to the double double transits which don't occur all that often. I spend a miniscule amount of time on Mars when it grows over 15", but don't waste my time otherwise. Venus is just a hell hole of a planet, either on its surface or through the eyepiece :)

Cheers,
John B

[Matty P]

I haven't been able to view Venus yet. :sadeyes: :doh:

I was wondering what it looks like through an EP. Is it just a bright round blob? :shrug:

[iceman]

Venus displays crescent phases, like the moon. There's just no visible features in white light.

[Matty P]

Is there any way to bring out some of its atmospheric features?

Are there any filters? :shrug:

[Omaroo]

Mine is that other hazy blue wonder, Neptune. I've always found its colour to be totally alluring and somewhat soothing. Although it's a really nasty place to live, it sure looks nice...

[Blue Skies]

Jupiter, because it's always changing.

It's kind of interesting to see the results - I can tell it's mainly adults voting because if it was kids it would be something more like Mars, Pluto then Neptune. Haven't quite worked out what the attraction to Neptune is with them yet but one parent was very helpful one day and suggested it was not only the nice deep blue colour but in some popular cartoon of the moment the characters came from Neptune.

[Moonboy]

hi,
I like Uranus
Because of its greenish color.
I like green.

[skwinty]

Why isnt planet earth on the list?
Dont you like that one?
Regards
Steve;)

[citivolus]

Too many clouds. :lol:

[bones]

Saturn's got my vote. The rings have always facinated me and are great to see. It also gets a WOW factor out of everyone who sees it through the scope.

[Protiotype]

I've never actually observed any celestial objects through a telescope!

I did however vote on Saturn, from all those days in primary school 'reading' those solar system books in the library and just being impressed. Venus was also pretty cool - except I always found it a little exasperating having none of my classmates believe that it was hotter than Mercury!

On Mercury - I also like the messenger! I didn't realise how visible it could actually be until I bothered to look at the right time of the year.

Greenish Uranus is awesome for being on its side and all... But again, the aspect of primary school's peer-reviewed-opinions doesn't really lend too much respect there. ;)

I guess it's Saturn for now until I get to actually watch Jupiter's spot and satellites for a while. :P

io.

[Kevnool]

I chose in the poll Venus only because when Galileo first looked throught his new invention the telescope he saw that Venus went through phases,This proved that Venus orbited the Sun and that was proof of Sun centered Solar System ( A beutifull invention the telescope ) So History for me chooses Venus

[hector]

Definatly Saturn. When I was 8 years old the firts "star" I looked at happened to be Saturn. Even with a 4.5" reflector the view was AMAZING :eyepop:
It worked wonders on a very young and impressionable boy.
Second would be Pluto and as you can see by the name on the 18" scope it has left an impression. I can remember a night when Greg Bryant and Myself were looking not for Pluto but Charon. We had a finder chat and had excelent seeing. Both Greg and I were not sure but it was a good night. MAYBE MAYBE MAYBE.......

Clear skies
Andrew

[goober]

Jupiter for the observing (voted).
Saturn for the awe factor.
Uranus, Mercury and Neptune for the thrill of the hunt.

[Protiotype]

I cannot but resist stating the satisfaction of showing people things they thought weren't possible, or even better; the potential of their actual capabilities.

If you ask someone whether or not they want to see Mercury 'later in the arvo', they'll invariably ask if they'll need a telescope. Same for bright satellites and flares. ;)

io.
(Wholesome naked-eye-ness!)

[AlexN]

Voted Saturn.

As the first planet I've ever viewed, it holds a bit of significance to me... and its the planet that gives the best depth of field effects (looks most 3d) due to its rings....

I was torn a bit however, Whilst saturn is my favorite, Jupiter is my most viewed, due to its ever changing surface and monumental size....

[Geoff45]

Actually that's not quite true. With an 8" or bigger, you can often make out vague shadings, especially if you use a moon filter to knock down the glare. You can also see some polar brightening (not sure what causes this--certainly not icecaps!). More controversially there is the so called Ashen Light, which I believe I have seen many times, but which many claim to be an optical illusion.
I gave Venus my vote btw.
Geoff.

[jjjnettie]

I voted for Jupiter.

What I like best about Jupiter is watching Shadow Transits.
I'll sit with my eyes glued to the eyepiece waiting for ingress. Trying to guess when it will start. Then when ingress is just about over and the shadow is almost all the way in, it seems to stretch just that little bit, like it's stuck to the edge of the planet, then it disengages and the transit begins.
For me it's exciting, riveting stuff.
It fills me with a sense of wonder and joy that I'm able to watch this happen in real time, it's an awesome spectacle.

Gee, no wonder the girls as work think I'm a bit strange.

[Matty P]

Hi Geoff,

I've observed Venus a few times with my 8" scope but I couldn't make out any surface details. Because of its close proximity to the Sun. When I observed Venus it was quite low in the sky so you could argue that is why I did not see any surface detail.

I agree that you should be able to see vague shadings when using filters but I would much rather observe Juptier or Saturn.

[Mick]

Mars for me, it is elusive that's part of the appeal. Awesome viewing in 2003.

[PCH]

I voted Saturn. I've only ever viewed Saturn, Joop, Venus and Mars and those rings of Saturn just leave me stunned. I showed them to some guests the other night and they couldn't believe they were actually seeing this much detail - even with a telescope. Saturn it is for me - definitely :thumbsup:

Cheers,

[Maverick]

Saturn for me.

[torr]

First planet I ever saw through a scope was Saturn 'wow '.
But I had too vote for Jupiter even though i havent seen it in my new scope, I spent a while peering at it as a kid with the families $200 special k-mart tasco refractor damn did that have one doddey mount.
Hmm that was bac when Halley's comet was around , I remember now 3.00am in the morning trying to convince family members too come have a look.

Clear skies

Torr

[Ian Robinson]

I wanted to vote for Terra , but it's not there , so I settled for Jupiter.

[prokyon]

Jupiter, there are so many details and I love the 4 bright moons.

Cheers

werner

[PeteMo]

Went for Jupiter, but it was a photo finish with Saturn. Both are fantastic. Saturn's rings rock, but Jupiter bigger with more cloud band details visible. Also loved seeing the Great Red Spot for the first time recently, plus Ganymede's shadow. Also on that same night/morning the 3 moons on one side of Jupiter were arranged in a chevron formation, instead of the usual line.

Mars was the biggest disappointment through an eyepiece, just an orange ball, with very, very faint darker patches, no canals, canyons or polar ice caps.

[GrahamL]

pluto because its kinda small dosn't move around much ..
and everyone was picking on it a while back:P

[cahullian]

I voted the big J as it is by far the best planet in our SS : )

Gazz

[astroAJ]

I voted Saturn, the rings give it a 3D appearance.
:lol::lol::lol:

[proudy]

I voted Jupiter because when the seeing is steady the detail jumps out at you, plus the Jovian system is so dynamic - something always happening. Ah, majestic Saturn! It doesn't look real does it? My kids reckon it looks like a cartoon character.

Mars is very disappointing for me, but Uranus I enjoy having a peak at too!
I understand its 'correct" pronuciation is Yur- ranus (as in uranium)

Plus venus and mercury when they transit!!

N

[Robert_T]

Normally it's jupiter, but there's something special for me in Mars with it's opposition every couple of years...

[garyp]

I voted Jupiter and Saturn is a close second.

[Ian Robinson]

Hey , what about Earth , last time I looked , it was as planet too.

[Paddy]

Good point, Ian! I voted for Jupiter as there is so much detail to see - but the detail I can see on the Earth is amazing. Even with no telescope! I'm convinced there's life on it, but very little sign of intelligence.

[Stuart78]

I will say Earth is best planet in SS i would love to look at it from say mars through a scope it would look like a beautifull saphire, my favourite planet to look at would be our protector Jupiter, and saturn would be a close
second, i love the detail to be seen on jupiter it is a nice big target..








Regards,
Stu>>>>>:thumbsup:

[TJD]

the most votes go to the planets that show the most detail with scopes or binoculars kepp observing happly

[lacad01]

Saturn mainly as it was one of the first objects I saw through my first scope. :)
Followed closely by Jupiter as I just love viewing this gas giant on a clear night :astron:

[TJD]

HOW DO YOU PLUTO IF I SAW IT :eyepop: A ITS NO LONGER A PLANET:(

[cookie8]

For 2009 definitely SATURN!!!

[Enchilada]

I just voted for Mercury.
It is probably not the best, but it just looked so lonely on zero. :sadeyes:

[astroron]

I voted for Jupiter for it's dynamism,always changing:)
Who of us who witnessed Comet Shoemaker Levy 9 can ever forget seeing something happening live on another planet in the Solar System other than our own:eyepop:
For shear beauty nothing except Earth beats Saturn:)But for me Jupiter is king:D

[Quark]

Saturn is definitely my favorite planet, Jupiter looks great but Saturn, for me just has so much charisma. When I am not imaging it I sometimes rotate my tube to bring the eyepiece lower and sit in a chair and just admire Saturn for the odd hour or so.

Regards
Trevor

[astroron]

Who could have thought anything else from you Trevor:D
Your research and images are a beacon for all of us :)
I hope you will be so for a long time to come:thumbsup:

[pgc hunter]

Jupiter. Impressive detail and never get the same view twice.

[GrahamL]

well I would of voted for planet x :sadeyes:.. but just like in real life its not there

[DaveGee]

G'day Matty,

My favourite planet is Pluto.

I observed it occult a mag. 15 star in 2006 when is was classified as a planet. see...
http://occsec.wellington.net.nz/planet/2006/results/060612_Pluto.htm

and again in 2008 when it occulted a mag. 12 star. You can watch the video on Youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WruS6own5qc

The slow disappearance and reappearance events are due to Pluto's atmosphere. Just how you can have an atmosphere at 40 kelvin and micro-bar pressure is beyond my understanding.

BTW, I don't care if it is classified as a planet or not. The fact that is 'there' is enough for me.

Rock-on New Horizons:thumbsup:

[AdrianF]

Voted for Saturn. It was the first planet I see through a telescope and still leaves an impression on me after a year or so.

Adrian

[Robh]

I never cease to be fascinated by either Jupiter or Saturn but my pick is Uranus.
Coming back to astronomy after 30 years, I will never forget seeing that eerie bluish disk for the first time in my 12 inch DOB. The awe of making out the disk of a planet some 3 billion kilometres away. Neptune's disk is not so easy to discern.
:eyepop:

[seanliddelow]

I think saturns good because you can enjoy it through any size telescope.

[Darth Wader]

I have to go with Uranus. Every picture I see is breathtaking. I hope to see the bluish-green disc for myself soon.

[M54]

I love the whole solar system, it feels like family. Saturn is gorgeous, but
Jupiter (voted for) was the first planet I saw through someone else's scope as a teenager :eyepop:, so it has a special place in my heart.

Haven't seen the whole gang yet, but looking forward to finding them one by one, but might need a bigger telescope first.:D

[Jen]

Definately Saturn for me :D then Jupiter :thumbsup:

But i also love how pretty Venus is to the naked eye ;)

:love2::love2::love2:

They are all very special in there own unique ways :)

[bird]

I guess I have to say Jupiter now :-)

[iceman]

Like you would've said anything else ;)

[Benno85]

Jupiter for me, any planet that's willing and/or able to take a hit for us is definitely a favourite of mine!!

:thumbsup:

[TheDecepticon]

Jupiter for me. First object I ever observed through a Big W telescope, a 60mm Tasco. The next thing you know, you've bought a decent scope and said to yourself "I wonder if I can see Uranus" Yes I can!:eyepop:

[pgc hunter]

The Earth. That's the only planet visible from Melbourne for 99.99% of all nights in the year.

[erick]

I'll stick with Saturn - Jupiter's got a black splat on it - damaged goods :D

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol: lol Bird :thumbsup:

[Enchilada]

… and my sole vote for Mercury still stands after more than three-thousand posts here!!

Obviously, I'm in with the "in-crowd"… :rofl:

[supernova1965]

I picked Mars because it is the only planet that I think we will be able to go and live on not counting the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.

[StarGazing]

Jupiter for me ......... and its moons of course, I enjoy watching them move around the big planet :D.
Alex.

[TrevorW]

Venus shrouded in mystery

[ballaratdragons]

Good Grief!

I haven't seen this thread for a couple of years!
Someone must have voted in the poll to bring it back up again.

Look at how many old members there are on the 1st pages that aren't here any more :eyepop:

[Jen]

:eyepop: hahaha well Saturn is a clear winner :D Yes there is a few oldies that have dissapeared where did they go :shrug:

[Octane]

Why isn't Earth in this list? : (

H

[chris1964]

I voted Jupiter from an observation perspective. It was the first planet I ever saw in my 5" scope and I couldn't believe that I could actually see the moons as well.

Sentimentally, my favourite is Mars. It has always fascinated me and is one of the reasons I got into astronomy.

[spacezebra]

Mercury

Cheers Petra d.

[The_bluester]

Saturn, but only because it is up now and the sky is reasonable and I am hoping to get a glimpse of the Cassini division for the first time!

The sky is only OK though, here is hoping it holds up for another few hours to let Saturn rise a bit higher.

[Barrykgerdes]

Sorry
My favourite planet is not in the list.
Barry