First Jupiter viewing!

[Darth Wader]

Just managed to catch Jupiter this morning and I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed! I didn't expect to see much at all owing to the foggy morning sky but the seeing was actually quite good. I managed to make out a couple of cloud bands across the planet's surface and what I assume to be the four Galilean moons - awesome! Anyway I just needed someone to tell because I'm too damn excited and my very pregnant and very tired wife is still sleeping, and I like having the use of both legs.;)

[iceman]

haha excellent to hear, Wade. Jupiter is just fantastic to observe and it'll only get better over the next few months as it gets higher and bigger.

Early morning observing is just brilliant.

[Darth Wader]

While I remember - I accidentally dropped the diagonal on my driveway... I didn't notice anything wrong with the viewing after that but could that knock the mirrors out of alignment or anything else that might jeopardise the integrity of my scope? I'm pretty angry at myself for letting it happen but in my defence I'd just rolled out of bed!

[Quark]

Hi Wade,
Glad you saw Jupiter and that you were so impressed with the image. As Mike pointed out, it is only going to get better as it rises higher and there is heaps of other stuff out there just waiting for you to discover it.

Regards
Trevor

[erick]

Is it a mirror diagonal or a prism diagonal? How is the view through it now? In the few I've seen (and pulled apart to clean), the mirror and prism seem to be very solidly held in place so, unless you have cracked the one in yours, it's probably OK?

[Darth Wader]

Hi Eric,

It's a mirror diagonal... view is fine in it now and it's definitely not cracked. I may just be a little paranoid I think!

Cheers
Wade

[Chromed]

Hey Wade
What kind of scope are you using? I've often thought about waking up in the early hours of the morning to have a look at Jupiter but I've never been good at waking myself up earlier than usual :P

[Darth Wader]

Hi Greg,

I'm using a refractor, it's a Skywatcher 70 x 900. For planetary viewing I'm using a 10mm eyepiece which provides adequate images for the size of the scope. It has far surpassed my expectations of what I would actually see! As was mentioned above Jupiter will get higher in the sky later in the year - I'm definitely looking forward to that!

I hear what you say about getting up early - a bit of a challenge for me too!

Cheers
Wade

[Baddad]

I'm a newbie myself. :hi: I haven't been motivated enough to view Jupiter yet. SE Qld skies are just too unpredictable in March. I hope to join the Jupiter Clan soon.:):thumbsup:

I was vainly hoping to view tonight but I hear rain on the roof. ( Has JJJeanettie purchased something new again? ) JJJ, is the one we all blame bad weather/ bad viewing conditions on, it happens when ever she buys new astro gear. ;):lol:.

Cheers Marty

[Jen]

:hi::hi: Hi Wade im glad you enjoyed your views of Jupiter its a good feeling when it comes into view throught the scope :):):)
Have you seen saturn yet ? Thats another wow factor :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Darth Wader]

Thanks all, it was truly awesome and the "wow" factor was so much more than my first Saturn viewing! I am really enjoying this hobby and I'm kicking myself that I didn't get into it sooner. This forum is making it so much easier to learn the ropes because of all the great members willing to help out!

Cheers
Wade

[marki]

I love watching Jupiter on a freezing cold winters night. It is high in the sky and you can see so much detail in the cloud bands. Moon transits are also fascinating to watch. Like others have said it will only get better from here on. Glad you are enjoying your new hobby :).

Ciao Mark

[Shano592]

I was accidentally up way too early (still up from last night) this morning, around 5:15am.

Was there a planet next to the moon, or was it just waaaay too late for me to be up?

Don't worry, I still got up in time for work! The beauty of self-employment!!