Couldnt really get any detail at all in Jupiter - no surprise there.
But i was able to coax some colour from the moons, albeit utterly without detail or sharpness. I also think their positioning is more interesting than a few nights back.
Tripod, obviously. Timer delay (or remote if your cam has it). Full zoom. Aperture wide open. Manual focus. Iso cranked up (depends on max aperture value). Shutter speed around 1/40 second on that one. At 500mm focal length you get motion streaks very quickly.
Best out of three shots…
Then I zoomed a bit, fixed the focus and spent $150M on a telescope.
WOW!! It’s amazing what a little $150 mill or so can do isn’t it?
Tried a few more of Jupiter. Didn’t have much luck. So pointed the camera towards alpha centuri and the southern cross.
That’s probably the best one. RAW vs JPG on the camera makes a difference. Used Sony RAW developing program to convert to JPG (image from panasonic camera).
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo350/Rookie_Soulnet/J2_zpsi84ebadj.jpg
Great night for star gazing on the Peninsula, warm, clear, no Moon and plenty to see with Mars up and about, the orangy one rising in the East, the spine of the Milky Way prominent and Jupiter over head with all 4 moons and 2 bands on show. Incidentally was amused to see one cagey astronomer selling Jupiter looks on Princes Bridge last week for 2 bucks a pop. Nice way to pay off your telescope bills. He’ll do good business tonight even with the City’s light pollution.
I’m up in the mallee this weekend. Thunderstorms all around but crystal clear right above. Mars is a crazy red colour tonight!
Major “Haleys Comet sheddings” meteor shower at 4.00am in the morning, in the Sth East. Skies are predicted mainly very clear & little moonlight.
Also, same time on the 6th as well.
NB: Noticed the article below has other dates, but the wacky Astro guy on ABC news this eve said as above 5th & 6th … didn’t mention any date after that. So ??
Eta Aquarid meteor shower 2016: When and where to watch the meteor shower in Australia
By Anne Lu @chelean on May 03 2016 2:01 PMAustralians will have an excellent view of the meteor shower on Friday. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will be viewed in the mornings of May 5 and 6, and people in the southern hemisphere will get to see the celestial event.
Meteors, or shooting stars, this week has a relatively broad maximum, which, according to Earth Sky, means skywatchers can view it the day before and after the predicted peak of May 6. Called one of the finest showers of the year, the Eta Aquarid is expected to show a number of meteors from the wee hours before dawn on May 5 and 6.
The Eta Aquarid can produce about 20 to 40 meteors per hour in the dark sky when viewed from more southern latitudes. At northerly latitudes (northern US, Canada and Europe), the number of meteors per hour is lower at only 10 to 20.
What is Eta Aquarid
The Earth crosses the orbital path of the famous Halley’s Comet in late April and May, allowing us to see the meteor shower during this time. This comet leaves debris and pieces, which light up the night time and are called the Eta Aquarid meteors.
These meteors are traced back to a certain point in front of the constellation Aquarius the Water Bearer. As Earth Sky explains, this point on the sky’s dome, called the radiant of the meteor shower, nearly aligns with the faint star Eta Aquarii, hence the name of Eta Aquarid.
When and where to watch in Australia
As Eta Aquarid favours the southern hemisphere, Australians, as well as many people in South America, a few in South Africa and those stationed in Antarctica, will have the best view of the sky phenomenon.
According to the ABC, the meteor shower is visible on the morning from May 6 to 8. It will peak at 6 a.m. AEST on May 6, though the best view will be seen on the mornings of May 7 and 8 from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m.
How to watch the Eta Aquarid meteor shower
Unlike viewing solar eclipse, there’s no special equipment required to watch a meteor shower. However, luck is needed because dark sky is required for the meteors to be visible. Fortunately, it would be a new moon on May 6, and therefore would ensure dark skies, best for viewing the meteor shower.
It’s advised to spend at least an hour watching the sky so the eyes will sufficiently adjust to the darkness.
Also read: Solar eclipse March 2016: Stunning images of the partial and total eclipse in Asia Pacific [PHOTOS]
Mars makes closest approach to Earth in a decade
People around the world will be given a chance to enjoy a major celestial treat as Mars is set to make its closest approach to the Earth in a decade on May 31st Japan time.
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan said the red planet will come within about 75 million kilometers of the Earth on Tuesday.
It means that even those living in cities can see the planet with the naked eye throughout the night.
Mars will appear about 3 times larger in diameter than its smallest appearance this year.
The Meteorological Agency is forecasting a clear sky in some parts of western Japan on Tuesday night.
People who cannot enjoy it on that day due to bad weather still have a chance. The observatory says the celestial show will continue for about a week.
Mars takes 687 days to circle the sun in an orbit just outside Earth’s. The red planet makes a close approach to the Earth about every 26 months.
But the distance between the two is different every time such an approach occurs. This is because the Earth’s orbit is almost circular while Mars’s is elliptical.
Hoping for a clear night tonight to set up the scope!
Hoping for a clear night tonight to set up the scope!
What did you end up getting?
Still using the el cheapo. Fine for finding Mars. Jupiter isn’t real impressive though.
Mars is just as clear as Jupiter on most nights! One thing that wasn’t mentioned though is to consider a telescope that can fit a camera mount. Gives you something to keep after setting up the bugger!
Want to buy a beginners telescope for kids.
Wondering how these two stack up to other much dearer ones I’ve been looking at.
Hoping the ones in the know here can give an assessment …
Between the two get the one with the tripod. With such a strong magnification firstly you realise how quickly the planets and stars move so it means you want something stable that doesn’t easily get bumped or shaken. Tripod will also make it easier to setup to look at the skies comfortably.
Also check this place out and they’ll give you better answers and also telescopes in that price range (along with ones with many many zeros).
http://www.ozscopes.com.au/telescope/telescope-by-types?dir=asc&order=price&price=-300
@“BLOODSTAINED DEVILS” how did you go?