Uranus and it's moons

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Since sorting out my alt/az setup on my 10"LB (thanks to a few on this forrum) I have been very pleased with the ease of finding faint objects namely Uranus (faint object to me!). It is so easy now and so satisfying.

Now can anyone tell me if I'm correct in that I think I can spot a couple of the moons, just very faint specks of light. One moment I think I see them but as they race across my view, they seem to dissapear and reapear.

With a 10" f 5 reflector and TV 11mm plossl (=115 mag) and with a TV 2X barlow (=230mag).
While the view at 115mag was very good the 230mag just had flitting moments of a good view.

Is it possible with this combination to see the moons of Uranus or am I just wishing the moons to appear, any comments.

Richard

[Robh (Rob)]

Richard,

This might help.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/obser...t/3310476.html

Regards, Rob.

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Thanks for that link Rob, very interesting.

"Few backyard skygazers can say they've ever seen the moons of Uranus in a telescope. Aided by our handy JavaScript utility, perhaps you'll join that exclusive club. Good luck!"

So the answer is YES, but with difficulty.
I will try again to see if I can convince my self. A little more dark adapting and a stool for a comfortable and steady view.

Rob have you managed to spot any of the moons yourself?

Richard

[Dennis]

Hi Richard

I’ve managed to record four of them with my 7 inch ‘scope, but haven’t tried to view them through the eyepiece.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=50250

Good luck!

Cheers

Dennis

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Hi Dennis.

I think it was your animation that got me searching for Uranus and the moons.
Good stuff.
Mind you the moons I THINK I may have seen were just faint specks.

Richard

[Robh (Rob)]

Originally Posted by richardda1st

Thanks for that link Rob, very interesting.

"Few backyard skygazers can say they've ever seen the moons of Uranus in a telescope. Aided by our handy JavaScript utility, perhaps you'll join that exclusive club. Good luck!"

So the answer is YES, but with difficulty.
I will try again to see if I can convince my self. A little more dark adapting and a stool for a comfortable and steady view.

Rob have you managed to spot any of the moons yourself?

Richard

No. On the occasions I've looked at Uranus, I've not thought to look for the larger moons, which are about 14th magnitude. Your thread has set up a not so easy challenge for us.

Rob

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by richardda1st

Hi Dennis.
Mind you the moons I THINK I may have seen were just faint specks.
Richard

Hi Richard

Uranus’ moons in my images and animations have undergone quite significant processing so they are not a good guide as to what you might see visually, other than showing their position and distance relative to Uranus.

I have found SkyTools to be accurate in showing their positions and to obtain data for their maximum elongation, I use the NASA Horizons website. Here, you choose the moon and period of observation and you can view a Table which shows you the elongation for the chosen period.

It would be fantastic to hear of anyone confirming a visual observation, so good luck!

Cheers

Dennis

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Had a good clear night tonight with some very good views of Uranus. While focusing my attention on Uranus I see glimpses of tiny specks of light near by. Checking the position of these specks and comparing them to the moons as per Cartes du Ciel, they seem to be in the same general area. I'm still not convinced but having fun anyway.
Great views of Orion neb tonight.

Cheers
Richard

[Dennis]

Nice going Richard. SkyTools gives the following data for the 4 brighter satellites set for 17th Nov at 11:00pm AEST.

Name……Mag….PA°……Sep"
Ariel…….14.4….358.3…..4.6
Umbriel…15.1….343.3….18.2
Titania…..14.0….346.3….28.8
Oberon….14.2….149.3….13.2

In terms of your ‘scope, I created a 10” F5 Dobsonian in SkyTools and it generated the following report for its capabilities:

10" dob Report

Telescope type: Reflector
Aperture: 10.0 inches
Focal length: 50.0 inches
Focal ratio: 5.0
Mounting: Equatorial
Optical condition: a little dirty

Dawes resolution limit: 0.5"
Typical practical visual magnification limit: 550
Recommended eyepiece magnifications: 36, 64, 250 plus 2X Barlow
Typical limiting visual magnitude: 15.5

6 x 30 mm Finder:
Field of View: 5.0°
Limiting visual magnitude: 9.5

Eyepiece Mag FOV Exit Pupil Limiting Mag.
Plössl 11mm 115 26.0' 2.2 14.5
Plössl 11mm 2.0x 231 13.0' 1.1 14.9

So in theory, it looks like Titania and Oberon with their greater elongation would have been ideal candidates for you to have observed!

Cheers

Dennis

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Lots of numbers there Dennis, as you say in theory it's possible.
Would be interesting to hear from others who may be trying to spot the moons.
A seated comfortable and steady position sure makes it enjoyable to observe.
I think I'll start looking for the perfect chair. Maybe one of those electric sofa types that the elderly use, up/down/tilt.

Richard

[erick (Eric)]

Well done Richard! Claim them observed anyway!

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Originally Posted by erick

Well done Richard! Claim them observed anyway!

That I think would be a little premature, and thats not something I want to be accused of.