leo9
member
Reged: 06/17/08
Posts: 70
Loc: Western Oregon, USA
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While out studying the moon last night I "discovered" Jupiter and the 4 Jovian moons in my 12x50's ... what a thrill for me. I have seen many photos, computer sims, through other folks scopes,etc. But this is the first view I did entirely on my own...
I know this is a bit silly, since it is such an easy target, but there is just something about seeing it first hand.
No detail was visible, just a small bright disk with a "trail" of 4 sparkling dots, yet it is the best view I ever had 
Next a big challenge: Comet C/2007 W1 (Boattini). A whole lot tougher, and perhaps beyond my limited skills.
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Nikon 12x50 Action; Pentax 8x40 PCF WPII
Bogen 3220 w/3way+qw
Trico SkyWindow
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BobinKy
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 928
Loc: Country road
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Welcome to Cloudy Nights. Yes, Jupiter is indeed a thrill anytime it is viewed with either binocular or telescope. And the "trail" of moons--as you so aptly described them--just seem to hang there like apples along a celestial trail leading the way to Jupiter.
Again, welcome to Cloudy Nights.
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Bob
38° Kentucky, USA
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pcad
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/17/05
Posts: 1487
Loc: Connecticut
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Now imagine being Galileo seeing these moons clearly for the first time. Then seeing them shift position and realizing they're moons. The world and our place in the universe was changed forever. I doubt I'll ever get tired of watching the Jovian system.
Peter
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Peter
Telescopes 25 - 318 mm
Binoculars 15 - 88 mm
Microscope 50x - 1000x
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SkyG
member
Reged: 09/04/07
Posts: 34
Loc: London
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I couldn't agree more. The first time I saw Jupiter was kind of a trial and error thing when testing my new 15x70s with some mates - we were all totally blown away by that experience and it still remains one of my favorite night sky targets.
G
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WO ZD66, Miyauchi Exceeds, besser 10x50, WW2 RAL 7x50s, ZEISS 10X50W Jenoptem
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jrw11
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/07
Posts: 501
Loc: U.S.A.
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that's one thing about Jupiter, no matter what you have, it still puts on a great show!
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Celestron C6n -HD Reflector
dual axis drive motors added
Orion 80mm Short tube refractor
Skyscout
Early 70's Pentax 7x50
Garrett Optical 12x60
Garrett Optical 15x70
Oberwerk 20x80 Standards
Canon Rebel Ti (film)
4 Minolta Srt cameras
Mamiya RB67 Pro-s with 180 lens
127mm KL lens for RB, Bellows hood for RB67
120 and 220 film backs
Cambo SCII 4x5 view camera
over 50 other film cameras
several eyepieces
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 1638
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mt. High
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I was looking at Jupiter with my Orion 16x80mm & 30x80mm last night. I was able to see the belts through both binoculars. I also saw the Coathanger, for the first time. Very nice evening, of summertime viewing, in the backyard.
I often wonder what it must be like, way up North, in Alaska. Six months of nighttime viewing. Must be awesome!
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Pentax 12x50mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 16x60mm PCF WP FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 20x60mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Orion 12x63mm Mini Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 15x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 16x80mm Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 20x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 30x80mm MEGAView FMC/JAPAN
Barska 30x80mm X-Trail LW FC
Burgess Optical Series II 20x90mm FMC/WP/FP
Handel's Messiah**Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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James S
member
Reged: 07/10/08
Posts: 16
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do you use tripod or handhold the 12x50 binoculars? I cannot wait to try out my 20x80 binoculars on Jupiter and its moons when it gets here.
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leo9
member
Reged: 06/17/08
Posts: 70
Loc: Western Oregon, USA
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It seems everybody regardless of experience gets a thrill out of Jupiter...
James,I use a tripod right now... I can't handhold any binocular for extended periods of time... and observing takes time.
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Nikon 12x50 Action; Pentax 8x40 PCF WPII
Bogen 3220 w/3way+qw
Trico SkyWindow
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astrokido
sage
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 248
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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Seeing Jupiter for the first is what gets many people started in astronomy and it's a thrill ever after. It's moon dance every night is viewable with a mere 10x tripod-mounted binocs. If it had more mass it would be our second star. Thursdays are named after it too.
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- Gill C. - All opinions subject to a speed limit of 299,792,458 m/s unless noted otherwise.
Nikon D40 Bushnell 10x25 Zhumell 20x80 Celestron Cometron CO-100 binochair CN gallery
skyatlas.rgbstore.com - free charts & more cool stuff
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avare
member
Reged: 08/07/07
Posts: 28
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Quote:
It's moon dance every night is viewable with a mere 10x tripod-mounted binocs.
I observed it with my 8x42s last night!
Andre
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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Posts: 4642
Loc: Illinois, US
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Jupiter is great in binoculars. With 50mm, you might even be able to see the large equatorial band, if you look hard enough.
Chris
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"To tread the sharp edge of a sword;
to run on smooth-frozen ice,
one needs no footsteps to follow..."
"Well, people sometimes ask me 'how did you get involved in astronomy?' I said 'I got born, what's your problem?'" -- John Dobson
"In discussing the large-scale structure of the cosmos, astronomers sometimes say that space is curved, or that the universe is finite but unbounded. Whatever are they talking about?" -- Carl Sagan
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danielgolite
member
Reged: 09/29/06
Posts: 29
Loc: Erie County, PA
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Over the weekend Jupiter was certainly a great sight in my 10x50's. When I looked, all four moons were on the left side of Jupiter, grouped in two close pairs. It was one of the most striking configurations of Jupiter's moons that I've seen in binoculars. Observing Jupiter is always interesting as it is different each night and seeing its moons is always something interesting to show others.
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-Daniel
"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything." -Hebrews 3:4
Celestron 6" reflector/eq. mount
Tele Vue Ranger
Celestron 10x50 Ultima & 15x70 Skymaster binocs
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DeepSpace67
sage
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 448
Loc: Kansas City, KS, USA
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Was out last night using the Apogee 88's to view Jupiter. What a great sight! A darkened area was visible near the equator at 20x, and (5) color bands were visible at 32x. Even with the brightness of nearly full Moon was also able to view a number of objects in Sagittarius including M6, M7, M16, M17, M20, and M21.
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Matthew
10" Antares Dobsonian, 8x50 RACI, Telrad, Green Laser
Apogee RA-88-SA, Custom Mount, Green Laser
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 Binoculars
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PXR-5
super member
Reged: 03/28/08
Posts: 184
Loc: Monroe, NC
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Been seeing it also with my new 7x50s! Was amazed to see the 4 moons. With my LP in the summer the scope stays in the closet. Never thought I would enjoy the binos so much!
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Jeff
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I hope you brought your credit card with you, and I hope you know how to
Drive on these long, lonely freeways and intersections we've got up
Here. We've got two cars in the garage, and
Drum-majorettes in white ankle socks and baton twirling on Sundays.
We've got stripes and the stars and Uncle Sam's on Mars....
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astrokido
sage
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 248
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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8X? Wow, 7X? WOW! Its moons even show up in simple night sky shots like in this small crop:
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- Gill C. - All opinions subject to a speed limit of 299,792,458 m/s unless noted otherwise.
Nikon D40 Bushnell 10x25 Zhumell 20x80 Celestron Cometron CO-100 binochair CN gallery
skyatlas.rgbstore.com - free charts & more cool stuff
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 1638
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mt. High
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Quote:
8X? Wow, 7X? WOW! Its moons even show up in simple night sky shots like in this small crop:
How does it look thru the Zhumell 20x80mm? Is there any ghosting or flaring?
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Pentax 12x50mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 16x60mm PCF WP FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 20x60mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Orion 12x63mm Mini Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 15x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 16x80mm Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 20x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 30x80mm MEGAView FMC/JAPAN
Barska 30x80mm X-Trail LW FC
Burgess Optical Series II 20x90mm FMC/WP/FP
Handel's Messiah**Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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