Stargazing Can Pluto be seen with amateur telescopes?

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Pluto can be observed with amateur telescopes, particularly those capable of detecting objects with an apparent magnitude of 15 or better. Its brightness varies between 13.6 and 16.3, making it challenging but possible to spot with a 5.5" refractor. Enthusiastic amateur astronomers are encouraged to attempt viewing Pluto, especially during favorable conditions. Clear skies are essential for successful observation, and planning for summer viewing opportunities is suggested. Overall, while visibility is limited, it remains an achievable goal for dedicated stargazers.
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Clear skies are gone for the winter, here's as much as I was able to get. Next summer I may have a chance at Pluto. First one is Uranus, next one is Neptune- they look a little different because I scaled them differently to fit. Enjoy!

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Pluto is actually visible with the sort of telescopes used by enthusiastic amateurs?
 
rootone said:
Pluto is actually visible with the sort of telescopes used by enthusiastic amateurs?

Possibly- but that's the point of trying, right? Pluto's apparent magnitude varies between 13.6 and 16.3, I can reliably detect magnitude 15 objects with a 5.5" refractor.
 

Thread 'Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transients (LFBOTs)'

UC Berkely, December 16, 2025 https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/12/16/whats-powering-these-mysterious-bright-blue-cosmic-flashes-astronomers-find-a-clue/ AT 2024wpp, a luminous fast blue optical transient, or LFBOT, is the bright blue spot at the upper right edge of its host galaxy, which is 1.1 billion light-years from Earth in (or near) a galaxy far, far away. Such objects are very bright (obiously) and very energetic. The article indicates that AT 2024wpp had a peak luminosity of 2-4 x...
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