The observation of the planets in our solar system with a telescope is a nice piece of amateur astronomy. And unlike other forms of observation, such as the deep sky, which can be made from the center of the city and the countryside. No travel required. If it is clear (a rarity here in the Pacific Northwest) to observe, I can quickly set up one of my telescopes on the balcony and starts. So, here are some tips for watching our neighbors in the solar system.
Telescope
Any decentTelescope quality more than 60 millimeters (about 2.5 inches) is covered in detail on Jupiter, showing the phases of Venus and Mercury, and Saturn's rings. If I only want a quick look, I'm with my 90mm APO refractor. But he had a better display with 150 mm (6 inches) and larger instruments. This is because the planets are too small bit of detail and we need to use high forces. And as best you can use 50X per inch of aperture, you can see the need for size.
The currentType of telescope is of minor importance, but I personally do not use reflectors or apochromatic (color green) refractors. Some excellent choice for a planetary scale are as follows:
- A Maksutov Cassegrain 150 mm or greater
- A Newtonian reflector of 150 mm or more
- A Schmidt-Cassegrain 200mm or more (this is what I use at the time)
- An apochromatic refractor of 130 mm or more (but expensive)
But do not despair, though the size is not listed here. Thinkbest telescope is to use, so use what you have. There are ways to squeeze more performance from every eye.
Mount
One word is all that is really needed here stable. Until it is stable, and do not mind using it together, a Mount Dobson, or work of non-motorized alt-az with no slow-motion controls. Of course it is irritating to the picture becomes stable again after the long-awaited move the scope. Therefore, a well-built, quiet, motorized wall mountis much more beautiful, because the planet is in your eyes, if you do not want to see him stay. But even here, what you have is important.
Eyepieces
Because planets are small, a lot of magnification is required to observe details. But you can not overdo it either. On the best nights, the sky is more stable than usable magnification you can use 50X per inch of aperture (8-inch dimensions, 400X). But the nights are few and far between. MostlyYou can find your maximum magnification of 25X per inch. On my 8-inch, my most used eyepiece for planetary work Orthoscopic is a 9mm, which offers over 222x in this context. This combination has given me a great view of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.
Note that expensive eyepieces. You can, but some good all-round quality eyepieces and a Barlow and years can be visual pleasure. But if high-contrast, high detail views, I suggest what you wantOrthoscopic a few eye. You can for about $ 100 I've ever had. Highly recommended.
The word magnification. To determine the magnification of an eyepiece is given to a particular telescope provides the following formula.
Magnification = telescope focal length divided by the focal length eyepiece. So my 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope has a focal length of 2000mm. If I use my 9 mm are Ortho, 2000 / 9 = 222.22X.
If I have the same eyepiece with my 91 mm refractor, whichwe get? It has a focal ratio of f6.6. Sun 91 mm x 6.6 = 600 so a focal length of 600 divided by 600 mm = 66.66X 9mm.
Eye
Although optional, a series of color filters can really help to bring out different details of the planet. Here are some filters that can interpret their Wratten numbers.
- No. 12 Yellow - Set blue door and red and yellow on Jupiter and Saturn, also improves the detail of the surface of Mars. Better than the 150 mm or larger areas.
- # 80A Blue - L 'The filters can really pull the details of the cloud belts of Jupiter and the Great Red Spot. Also useful to Saturn, enhances contrast.
- No. 58 Green - Adds contrast and detail rendering, for the band structure of Jupiter and Saturn. Also useful on Mars polar caps. Better than 200mm or larger areas.
- # 25A Red - Great for higher contrast filter Jupiter. It's really the belt "pop out". Mars also very nice. Recommended only for areas of more than 200mm. O
- No. 21 Orange - hassomething of the same red No 25, not so good, but can be used with smaller telescopes.
Make yourself comfortable
As a comfortable all types of observation is much better. I have two different chairs, which I use for observation. Also be sure right clothes. Remember, you are still standing, so that warmer clothing that you need to think.
I hope you enjoy your journey through our solar system with the telescope. As your experience grows you may be interested in what you drawor even see in planetary photography. The sky is truly the limit.
