Why does Saturn move so much in my telescope?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter danielandpenn
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    Saturn Telescope
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of observing Saturn through a telescope, particularly focusing on issues related to image stability and clarity at different magnifications. Participants explore factors affecting the viewing experience, including equipment setup and environmental conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes difficulty in differentiating Saturn's rings at lower magnifications and experiences significant image jump at higher magnifications.
  • Another participant suggests that increased magnification amplifies vibrations and recommends ensuring that the telescope is properly balanced and secured.
  • It is mentioned that the current positioning of Saturn's rings is not optimal for observation, being only 2° open, which may affect visibility.
  • Some participants argue that using a motor drive may be necessary for tracking objects at high magnifications to maintain a stable view.
  • Concerns are raised about the impact of touching the telescope during observation, which can cause shaking and instability.
  • Suggestions include using the minimum magnification necessary to see the rings and ensuring the tripod is set up on stable ground, with considerations for wind protection.
  • One participant shares an attempt to stabilize the telescope by hanging weights from the tripod, but reports no success.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the best practices for observing Saturn, with no consensus on a single solution to the issues raised. Multiple competing suggestions and observations are present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential missing assumptions about the telescope setup, environmental conditions affecting stability, and the specific characteristics of the viewing location.

danielandpenn
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I have a Bushnell 100mm Mak Cassegrain telescope. When viewing Saturn with my 32mm eyepiece I can see it but I can't differentiate between the rings. When I use a 4, 6, or 9mm eyepiece, the image jumps so much I give up. Why is that and what can I do? Thank you so much.

penny
 
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The more magnification you have the more pronounced any vibrations will be. Make sure all nuts and bolts are tight and that everything is in balance and it is level. When you are looking through it don’t bump or touch it. Wind can also be a problem.
 
Also, the rings of Saturn are not ideally positioned for observing at this point in time.
They are open by only about 2°. They will increase to 4° by May the close again.
By September 4 of this year they will not be observable.

Although, this is really not that bad. It decreases the 'brightness' of the planet and makes for better observing of Saturn's moons and shadows.

As sas3 pointed out, as magnification goes up so does the problem with 'steady' viewing, almost exponentially.

At high powers it almost requires a motor drive to keep an object in the eyepiece for tracking any length of time.

A solid mount and tripod help.
 
Waveform said:
At high powers it almost requires a motor drive to keep an object in the eyepiece for tracking any length of time.

A solid mount and tripod help.
I have both and another thing requried is that you not touch the telescope while observing. Any touch, no matter how light, makes the telescope shake.

If the telescope is on an alt-az mount, this is very difficult. You have to move it a little, take your hands off and observe while it stabilizes and moves out of your field of view, move it back, repeat, etc.
 
danielandpenn said:
I have a Bushnell 100mm Mak Cassegrain telescope. When viewing Saturn with my 32mm eyepiece I can see it but I can't differentiate between the rings. When I use a 4, 6, or 9mm eyepiece, the image jumps so much I give up. Why is that and what can I do? Thank you so much.

penny
Use the minimum mag to need to see the rings, not the max.
Set your tripod as low to the ground as practical, so you're using its strongest struts.

How solid is the ground it's on?
How protected is your viewing spot from wind?

I tried hanging heavy weight from my tripod to see if that would stabilize it. No results to report.
 

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