Question:
Watching planets using Celestron 80lcm?
stokes1231
2012-02-01 13:59:30 UTC
I got a new celestron 80lcm telescope and we've been skywatching for the last week or so.. I'm able to locate Venus and Jupiter easily. I'm able to see Jupiter's moons as well..But what I see is a small jupiter and a small venus.. No details or red spot or anything.. Instead of a sparkling star, I see a bright circular planet.. If I adjust the barlow the circle grows bigger but I think its just the fact that the object is going out of focus.. My question is whether this is a limitation on my telescope (using the 9mm/25mm lenses) or is it because jupiter is further away from earth at this point of time? Also out of the two lenses, which one should I use for better viewing? Btw, Moon looks great in the telescope and I can see the craters clearly.. I was even able to focus on Beetlegeuse..
Seven answers:
REXS
2012-02-01 17:52:42 UTC
Jupiter doesn't change much in size. Its your scope...3" (80mm) is small, just about the smallest. You should be able to see the belts on Jupiter but don't expect to see the great red spot easily.



Some points:



Observe when the sky is steady (nights when the stars are not twinkling).



You need to "train your mind" via several nights of observing. Your eye/brain is not designed to see planets. Your brain needs to be trained to see detail. After a few nights you will see more detail. If you stop observing your brain actually loses its ability to see detail.



Turn off your clock drive (if you got one). Let the planet move across your field of view, your eye will scan it better.



Wait for the atmosphere to "flatten out". It only happens for a few seconds... watch for it.







EDIT: re:Celestron 130EQ..... 5" Newtonian...... Its a step up.... Bigger is better (more resolution) ....... but you expectations on what "good details on the planet" is may be off. You won't see what you see in photographs. On Jupiter if you see just a disk with the 3" (you should see bands) you will probably just see bands with the 5" newt. You can see a few more details, some storm details, moon shadows, etc if you improve your observing skills but you are not going to see what you expect to see.



Review---> http://startastronomy.blogspot.com/2011/02/celestron-astromaster-130-eq-review.html



Another beginner using the Celestron 130EQ on Jupiter ---> http://www.astronomyforum.net/celestron-telescope-forums/127516-celestron-130-eq-jupiter.html?langid=6
Larry454
2012-02-01 14:40:43 UTC
With a scope focal length of 900 mm, you will obtain 900/9 = 100x magnification with the 9 mm eyepiece and 900/25 = 36x magnification with the 25 mm eyepiece. Either of these should be sufficient to show at least some cloud bands on Jupiter, given decent sky conditions and a decent altitude of the target above the trees. Certainly, 100x will be enough mag, although the scope optics may be marginal at that level.



If I were you, i would stick with the 25 mm - for all targets - until you get familiar with the scope. The focused image may be smaller, but it definitely be sharper. I would use the Barlow as a decorative plant stand, or perhaps a pencil holder. It is almost useless, even to experienced amateurs.



If Betelgeuse looks any bigger than a tiny point of light when you focus on it, then you are not really focused on it. Even the best amateur scopes will not show any stars as a disk.



ADDED: Well to be frank, I don't think you will notice enough difference with a 130 to justify the effort involved in the return. If you want a significant change, what you need is aperture, and a significant change in aperture means at least 6 inches (152 mm) or - much to be preferred - 8 inches. You can get an 8 inch Dobsonian scope from Orion for about $100 more, and this will make the return effort worthwhile. With an 8 inch Dobsonian scope, you will have a LOT less trouble. You will be able to spend more time observing and less time wondering why the heck you can't see anything. You will also be able to see hundreds of other things, like galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, that are simply not available to you now. Many of these objects will be pretty dim, but you will be able to see them if you take the time to immerse yourself in the hobby a bit. This will require some learning on your part, since steering electronics cost a lot more. But I will tell you sincerely that the electronics are virtually worthless if you have not already done the learning anyway. I will not recommend a scope with an aperture below 8 inches in your case. You want a real scope, not a toy. May as well get one. Good Luck and Clear Skies!
campbelp2002
2012-02-01 15:50:45 UTC
The planets appear both smaller and less colorful in a telescope than you might expect from looking at the photographs, and the Celestron 80lcm telescope is quite a small one so it isn't going to show that much detail. The 9mm eyepiece is the higher magnification one, 100x, and the 25mm eyepiece is the lower magnification one, 36x. Jupiter's distance from Earth doesn't change that much, so that is never a problem with Jupiter. However Venus and Mars do change their distance quite a lot and it makes a big difference in the size of the image in a telescope.



You should be able to see at least one dark belt in Jupiter's atmosphere. The little white disk of the planet should show at least one and possibly 2 dark stripes on it when viewed with your telescope and the 9mm eyepiece.



The last time I looked at the great red spot it looked totally white to me. I remember seeing it for the first time many decades ago and remember it looking definitely red then. I have read that it's color has faded quite a bit. And my eyes are getting old too. Sky and Telescope magazine publishes a time table of when the red spot is in the center of the visible disk as we see it, but your telescope is a bit small for trying that.
2015-08-06 18:53:47 UTC
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RE:

Watching planets using Celestron 80lcm?

I got a new celestron 80lcm telescope and we've been skywatching for the last week or so.. I'm able to locate Venus and Jupiter easily. I'm able to see Jupiter's moons as well..But what I see is a small jupiter and a small venus.. No details or red spot or anything.. Instead of a...
bestonnet_00
2012-02-01 14:28:59 UTC
In all likelihood there's no point in using the Barlow lens, use the 25 mm for most purposes and the 9 mm for close up views of planets and just accept that a cheap telescope (though that's probably one of the better cheap ones) is limited in its ability.



You might need to refocus when you switch eyepieces though.
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2016-10-17 04:54:13 UTC
Celestron 80lcm


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