Thought I'd post this even though the viewing session was last Saturday.
In use was my 12 inch LX200ACF SCT on an NEQ6pro and a Skwatcher 26mm and 8mm 72 degree E.P.
The seeing was intermittant : very good........ordinary.......good, etc. A weird but clear night all in all.
The scope only had an hour to cool down, but it didn't seem to be to much of a concern. As soon as I trained the 26mm e.p. and focussed, I said to myself - oh boy!........here we go again (remembering the view about this time last year)!
Out came the 26mm and in came the big gun 8mm. I was absolutely stunned at the crisp and detailed view of the giant ringed planet. In between the wavy moments, the image would snap in to view clearly showing the division in the rings, banding and dark shading on the body of the planet like never before.Four moons were visible easily and a fifth was just seen now and again.
I cannot recall seeing Saturn this good last year.......certainly not as pin sharp and nowhere near as much contrast.
I called my wife to have a look and she stated ''WOW!.... it looks as if someone has painted it against a black background''
I think I can confirm that my LX200 does have very good optics. It can only get better when the seeing allows.
I concur. I have been having excellent views of Saturn last few weeks. I only have a small 4.5" reflector with 900mm focal. The images are superb.. pin sharp. I tried maxing the mag by using a SR4mm and was still able to get crisp images. Mind you Saturn was almost overhead so the least atmospheric disturbance.. dry winter nights seem to be quite good for viewing
Saturn wows again!!
