Neptune...

[BLiTZWiNG (Trent)]

Trying to find it, though it was hard enough getting Jupiter without my finder scope which went missing in the move to QLD...

How large would it appear in an 8" scope with a 9mm lens compared to Jupiter? Obviously I don't expect a precise answer, but I presume that it might help you to know what equipment I'm using to view it at the moment. Given Jupiter is big enough that I can make out the two central dark bands and even see the gap between Europa and Ganymede. I am getting a little bit of wobble from the atmosphere though, but it's generally near perfect viewing conditions here in Caboolture right now.

Oh, and lets not forget it's been about 3 years since I used my scope! Not intentionally though... been through quite a number of moves in the last few years, but we're here, in our own house finally, with many tall trees around :/ My primary mirror is filthy too! But the collimation seems quite fine after all this time...

Just realised I probably posted this in the wrong forum... my bad :/

[Darth Wader (Wade)]

I have an 8" dob and it appears just like any other star to me. I have had a lot of trouble locating it under suburban conditions. I'm told that larger telescopes can resolve a blue disk.

Cheers
Wade

[Robh (Rob)]

Jupiter is around 50 arcseconds visually, Neptune only about 2.2 arcseconds. With a 9mm EP and assuming 1000mm aperture focal length, this will give a power of 111. At this power, you aren't going to resolve a disk for Neptune but, at magnitude 8, you should certainly see it. Distinguishing it from the surrounding stars is not easy- you need a map.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/obser.../41561382.html

Regards, Rob

[citivolus (Ric)]

Neptune in an 8" SCT will stand out. You would not resolve detail on it, but will definitely make out the colour.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Heyyy, you live just up the road from me now!

[BLiTZWiNG (Trent)]

Thanks for all the replies! I kept thinking I saw it but I reckon I was looking a little too high for it.

I have Starry Night 6 for locating things, but even then, I haven't looked at the night sky long enough (through a scope) to remember what is relative to what, especially when its all upside down in the view finder! Even with a 25mm EP I still found it hard to find Jupiter with my finderscope... but there is hope, there are still 3 unpacked boxes in the shed which the other half says is stuff mostly from the office where my scope was.

Jeanette, I do live close to you! I've been out to Kilcoy for a look, it's nice out that way Hope it doesn't flood as bad out there!

[BLiTZWiNG (Trent)]

I found it!

No colour, same brightness as HIP107735 just above it. Oh well, at least I was able to recognise the patterns of the nearby stars... and it being directly below Jupiter at the time really helped.