6 replies to this topic

[12BH7]

 This week I switched over from a mirror to a prism type diagonal. For the first time that I can remember I actually SAW Venus. Instead of a car headlight coming at me, I saw structure, cloud gradient, a limb - who knew!!!

 

Mars was even more spectacular. Instead of some blackened area wobbling about in a see of orange, the albedo features were crystal clear with well demarcated boards. 

 

The mirror had a ton of scatter. This made for some very poor planetary viewing.  It's like I bought a new telescope.

[RMay]

This week I switched over from a mirror to a prism type diagonal. For the first time that I can remember I actually SAW Venus. Instead of a car headlight coming at me, I saw structure, cloud gradient, a limb - who knew!!!

Mars was even more spectacular. Instead of some blackened area wobbling about in a see of orange, the albedo features were crystal clear with well demarcated boards.

The mirror had a ton of scatter. This made for some very poor planetary viewing. It's like I bought a new telescope.

Terrific that such a (relatively) small change could end with such a great result.

👍👍

Ron

[spongebob@55]

 This week I switched over from a mirror to a prism type diagonal. For the first time that I can remember I actually SAW Venus. Instead of a car headlight coming at me, I saw structure, cloud gradient, a limb - who knew!!!

 

Mars was even more spectacular. Instead of some blackened area wobbling about in a see of orange, the albedo features were crystal clear with well demarcated boards. 

 

The mirror had a ton of scatter. This made for some very poor planetary viewing.  It's like I bought a new telescope.

Did you use a 1-1/4" or 2" prism?  Which brand/type?  I'm thinking of going over to a prism too for the reasons you mention on my SCTs and Maks.

Thanks

SB

[12BH7]

Did you use a 1-1/4" or 2" prism?  Which brand/type?  I'm thinking of going over to a prism too for the reasons you mention on my SCTs and Maks.

Thanks

SB

I was using an old stock Meade 1.25" prism that came with one of my scopes. This is what I would call a no frills prism and it still worked better than the $$ mirror.

 

I've been out for several nights using this "cheap" prism and I'm still amazed at what I'm seeing on Jupiter. Bands and colors I've never even come close to seeing using the mirror diagonal.

 

I do plan on buying a Baader 2" prism when they are available again.

[RMay]

I was using an old stock Meade 1.25" prism that came with one of my scopes. This is what I would call a no frills prism and it still worked better than the $$ mirror.

I've been out for several nights using this "cheap" prism and I'm still amazed at what I'm seeing on Jupiter. Bands and colors I've never even come close to seeing using the mirror diagonal.

I do plan on buying a Baader 2" prism when they are available again.

May I ask… are you adding the 2” prism to your 8” scope or your 12? I’ve considered getting a 2” diagonal for my Q Seven, but was advised that I might not ‘see’ the benefit, so paused the effort. Your thoughts on the new configuration will be greatly appreciated.

Ron

[aeajr]

 This week I switched over from a mirror to a prism type diagonal. For the first time that I can remember I actually SAW Venus. Instead of a car headlight coming at me, I saw structure, cloud gradient, a limb - who knew!!!

 

Mars was even more spectacular. Instead of some blackened area wobbling about in a see of orange, the albedo features were crystal clear with well demarcated boards. 

 

The mirror had a ton of scatter. This made for some very poor planetary viewing.  It's like I bought a new telescope.

I presume your mirror prism was damaged in some way as I can't imagine how a change to a prism diagonal could result in such a difference.  The old diagonal had to have been damaged or defective. 

 

I have viewed Venus in the cheapest telescopes with cheap mirror diagonals as well as imagine correcting mirror diagonals with no issues.  Even using cheap eyepieces would not prevent me from viewing Venus.

 

The most helpful thing I have done when viewing Venus is adding my 40% moon filter to dim it down so I could see the planet more clearly.  Venus, by itself, if very bright.

[12BH7]

May I ask… are you adding the 2” prism to your 8” scope or your 12? I’ve considered getting a 2” diagonal for my Q Seven, but was advised that I might not ‘see’ the benefit, so paused the effort. Your thoughts on the new configuration will be greatly appreciated.

Ron

I do plan on adding a Baader 2" prism to the 12" scope when they become available. The 8" seems to work best with the 1.25" diagonals. If I ever get around to it I'll buy the 8" a Baader T2 prism.

 

Right now I'm using a 1.25" diagonal on the 12". But it is clipping the FOV off. I do need all the FOV I can get when doing DSO viewing. So for now I'll use the mirror on the DSO. Beside, most nebulas and galaxies look like little puffs of mist anyway.