All good advice, but as I have mentioned in another post, newts have a noticeable diminishing of contrast due to the obstruction. That may be contributing.
Also a larger image (as I am assuming you are getting with the dob) will also magnify the atmospheric distortions.
Planets are really a case of patience. On most nights you have to observe for a while to get those fleeting moments of clarity.
Cheers
Malcolm
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