Jupiter for the first time through a telescope

[Chillie]

I went outside around 7:45pm last night (Wednesday). A few stars were about and Jupiter was at 20 degrees above the horizon in the East.

Time to set up and cool down the 12" Dobsonian. After setting up, I went back inside to watch a couple of shows on SBS starting a 8:00pm.

At 9:30pm Jupiter was at a bit over 41 degrees above the horizon when I went out to have a look.

I used a 25mm EP to start with and it look fairly small so I switched to a 10mm for the rest of the time. Three moons were in a strait line, 2 in one side of Jupiter and 1 on the other side. I could see 3 bands with one of them having some vague detail.

I hoped to get an afocal picture of it but my camera, A Pentax Optio 33LF is not up to the task, so I didn't get a shot off.

BTW This is the first time I've seen Jupiter through a scope, and the first time I've used the scope since my write up about an astronomy night at Laharum.

[Lismore Bloke]

Hi Henry! I was out at the same time observing Jupiter. Seeing was reasonably good. I was able to use the el cheapo GSO 6mm eyepiece to get up close. Also took a tour around Sagittarius and Scorpio (including Bug Nebula).

I have tried afocal a couple of times but only with the moon. Results are no more than reasonable. Haven't been game to try Joops!!. Iceman has a good article on astrophotography with a DOB.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-201-0-0-1-0.html

[Outbackmanyep]

G'Day Henry!
At 9:30pm last night you should have also noticed the impact spot which is fairly elongated now on the south pole and a little fainter BUT noticable!
Jupiter is a grand sight, especially when the Great Red Spot is in view!]
One thing you may like to try if the camera is not up to task is to draw what you're seeing, don't forget to put date and time down as well!

Cheers!

[Chillie]

The smallest EP I have is a 10mm. I do have a 2x Barlow but haven't used it as yet. I might try it next time I'm out.

[Chillie]

With a 10mm EP, I could only see 3 bands of a slightly different shade to the rest of the planet.

The thought of drawing what I saw did cross my mind but I'm no good at drawing and didn't see any benefit in it.

[Outbackmanyep]

Hi Henry,
You don't have to be an artist to draw! Just draw what you see, your skills will improve with time! My Jupiter drawings aren't anything to text home about, but they are a record of what i saw. Give it a go! :):thumbsup:

[pete_pumpkin]

Hi Henry, I too saw Jupiter for the first time last night. I hadn't pulled my 8" dob out for a few months now. But that bright object in the sky was too irresistable. Looking through the finder, I instantly saw the 4 moons next to the bright object. I knew right away that this must had been a planet. Sure enough Jupiter popped up in my eyepiece. Only about 5 or 6mm in the eypiece with my max magnification, but two rings were visable. Yeah I got excited for a bit. Previously I had only seen Saturn..


edit: it reminded me of what Galileo might had seen many eons ago. Those four moons looking so distinct.