83 replies to this topic

[REC]

I go out to observe Jupiter and Saturn a few nights a week when it's clear out. Tonight, 11/26 I can see both of them in my 8x50 finder scope easily. With only 25 days away it will be interesting to see them getting closer and closer every night!.

[REC]

I normally have to move the scope up and to left of Jupiter to center Saturn in my 9x50 finder scope. Not tonight. When I went to view Jupiter in the finder, I was surprised to see Saturn just above it in the finder! Wow, they moved quick this week! Not sure what the FOV is in the finder, anyone know, it's Orion 9x50 RAF.

[Sheol]

            I need to check this out, also. But right now we have rain & clouds. Well, mostly clouds. I cursed myself, getting larger equipment. Should have known what always happens!

 

           Clear Skies,

             Matt.

[John Fitzgerald]

I estimate (just by eye) that they are now about 2-1/2 degrees apart.  Sky Safari says 2d 34m.  Some very noticeable movement will take place in the next weeks.

[Sheol]

              Rain in the area, still. More than yesterday. It was a light mist this afternoon. Now the weather Radar indicates a bit of heavier rain.

 

      Matt.

      Please be high enough to be visible when I have everything put together!

[REC]

Last night they where less than 2 degrees apart as of last night. I can get both in the eyepiece in my C80ED with a 34mm SWA, but Saturn is very small.

 

Who else now seeing both of them together?

[TimothyPleiades]

I viewed both at 18x in my AT80ED with a 32mm tonight. Binocular territory for magnification, but still interesting. 

[REC]

I viewed both at 18x in my AT80ED with a 32mm tonight. Binocular territory for magnification, but still interesting. 

Did you make out the rings at 18x? I think you need 50x+ to see them clearly?

[TimothyPleiades]

Did you make out the rings at 18x? I think you need 50x+ to see them clearly?

Saturn looked slightly elongated, just enough to tell that something is different about that planet.

[REC]

Saturn looked slightly elongated, just enough to tell that something is different about that planet.

I have that 80mm scope, but I think I'll use my 80ED f/600mm to view it. It has a maximum FOV of 4* with my 40mm SWO, so I'll be watching it the 3 days before in case we get clouds on the 21st.

[Second Time Around]

For a discussion on the minimum magnification to see that Saturn is ringed go to https://www.cloudyni...sini-division/ 

 

Saturn was at a maximum of 15.5 degrees when I did those tests from the south of the UK.  It'll be even lower on the day of closest approach on the 21st.  Some of you in more southerly latitudes will get a much better view than us, so the test results may be more relevant.

[Sheol]

         In the past, using my 70mm Jason ( store brand for sure!) refractor, I viewed a conjunction of Mars & Saturn. I could definitely see a ring around that planet at 60X. One of my best memories of my very early astronomy days back in the 70s.

 

    Clear Skies,

      Matt.

[Dave Mitsky]

The two planets easily fit into the 13x, 3.7-degree true field of view produced by a 30mm Celestron Ultima and a bit less so into the 17x, 2.4-degree true field of view produced by an 8-24mm Tele Vue Click Stop Zoom eyepiece set at 24mm and my 80mm f/5 Orion ShortTube 80 refractor last night.  

[REC]

I was out last night and Sky Safari says they are now less than 2* apart now. Both easily fit in the finder scope. I tried my 24mm 68* EP in my 4" fract  at 40x and they would not fit yet. The rings where barley visible. These articles showing both planets with Saturn's rings and moons are not accurate. The planets where about 24* above the horizon at 6 pm. I thought I may have to drive somewhere to view it on the 21st, but may not.

 

 

 

 

 

[REC]

The two planets easily fit into the 13x, 3.7-degree true field of view produced by a 30mm Celestron Ultima and a bit less so into the 17x, 2.4-degree true field of view produced by an 8-24mm Tele Vue Click Stop zoom eyepiece set at 24mm and my 80mm f/5 Orion ShortTube 80 refractor last night.  

No rings at 13x, right?

[Sheol]

         Definitely not at 13X, or everyone with binoculars would rave about the ringed planet. No, in my aforementioned Jason refractor it took about 45x to 60X to see the Ring clearly. I never could see beyond that in that scope..  Bothe Aperture & magnification both being too low.

 

      Clear Skies,

        Matt.

[Illinois]

Yesterday evening I used my Orion 80ED and ES 24mm 82 deg. Eyepiece for 25 power 3.28 degrees. I can see Jupiter,  Jupiter’s 4 Moon, Saturn and Saturn’s tiny ring all in one view. Nice view! 

[csphere.d]

I was able to get them both in a single view tonight in my 102mm f/7 refractor with a 22mm 82 degree eyepiece.  This produced a true field of view of 2.5 degrees and 32x magnification. 

 

Both planets just fit in so I estimate the current separation to be just under 2 degrees, maybe around 1.75 or so.  Saturn and its rings were clear and sharp as were Jupiter and the 4 Galilean moons.  

[REC]

Yesterday evening I used my Orion 80ED and ES 24mm 82 deg. Eyepiece for 25 power 3.28 degrees. I can see Jupiter,  Jupiter’s 4 Moon, Saturn and Saturn’s tiny ring all in one view. Nice view! 

Me too with the same scope and EP you have! Tough to make ou the rings at 25x Saw two faint moons of Saturn. Jupiter, no problem, all 4 of them. Also saw a fairly bright meteor in Gemini around 9pm. 

[Dave Mitsky]

Using my 80mm f/5 Orion ShortTube 80 refractor and a 30mm Celestron Ultima eyepiece (13x), I observed Jupiter and Saturn simultaneously on Sunday evening.  The two gas giants just fit into the field of view of an 8-24mm Tele Vue Click Stop Zoom eyepiece set at 20mm (20x).  I also viewed the two planets separately at the 8mm setting (50x).  

Here's an afocal iPhone photo that I took through the refractor and the 30mm Ultima.

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[FXM]

From Dec 6th around 5PM

 

Image with a Nikon 80-400mm set to about 340mm 1.3 second @f/8

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer mount.

 

I am sure on the day of the event, the weather will be cloudy. :-)

 

 

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[REC]

From Dec 6th around 5PM

 

Image with a Nikon 80-400mm set to about 340mm 1.3 second @f/8

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer mount.

 

I am sure on the day of the event, the weather will be cloudy. :-)

Wow, that's the best shot I have seen so far! See you got 3 moons of Jupiter!!

[Dave Mitsky]

I took this afocal iPhone photo through my 80mm Orion ST80 refractor and a 30mm Ultima on Tuesday night.

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[Dave Mitsky]

No rings at 13x, right?

Certainly not.

 

It usually takes around 25x for me to be able to resolve Saturn's rings without question.

[FXM]

From the past couple of nights the 6th, 7th and 8th, it was overcast this evening of the 9th.

Stacked in Photoshop

 

Nikon D7000 

Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4 ED

Cable release

Tripod

 

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