|
Seeing and mirror temperature play a huge part in looking at the planets. Mackay has had the Jet Stream over it for so long I doubt that anyone would know what the planets look like. (sorry) The Jet can remove fine detail from viewing and also ruins imaging attempts.
The only way to know what temperature your mirror is in relation to the ambient is to install a temperature sensor. Easy enough to do if you are game and can accurately mark your corrector.
Without the mirror being at the right temperature you will never know what the seeing is really like. I left a thread here on cooling a C14, you might like to read it. It documents how to do it and gives some ideas. You need to know what the mirror temp is so that you can know then actively cool it so that you can get it down to see what the seeing is like (hope that made sense). Its a circular thing.
SCT's will hold mirror temperatures for longer than a newt, you need to have it outside for at least 3-4 hours before your 8" would reach equilibrium. My C14 will never reach ambient unless I actively cool it. It is not 2 hours as the popular theory goes. Try double and maybe more times with an SCT.
Collimation on Meades has to be very accurate too. Because they use an f2 for the primary this means that the collimation angle is very narrow and less forgiving than the Celestrons. The 9.25 and C14 have wider collimation angles and allow easier collimation. So you will need to be very accurate with your collimation to get superb views. However, even moderate collimation should get some detail in the belts and the GRS. Also don't forget that SCT have trouble with contrast because fo the large secondary. So while you have your SCT apart do the flocking at the same time. It does improve contrast.
Let us know how you go.
Paul
|