Planet related thread

[7]

So tonight I was outside and I noticed 4 planets. Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. Saturn seemed brighter then normal so I brought out my cheap-o 60mm telescope and was blown away at how bright and clear Saturn was.

For one, it was 100% full --at least pretty damn close. The rings were visible as were 4 of the moons. I've never been able to see Saturn like this in a "home" telescope before.

So, after a bit of web searching I find Saturn is at opposition starting December 31, 2003 through March 2004. So we are just a few days past prime viewing season.

Venus was also quite bright tonight so I took aim on it as well. It was about at 50% cresent and looked very cool.

If this stuff interests you, get out there in the next few nights and grab a look.

[Cyxeris]

If only I still had my Meade refractor. I chipped a huge parabolic button of glass out of the lens while reseating it after a thorough cleaning many years ago. Dont even know where the eyepieces are anymore. Once of these day's I'll get a new one.

One of these days. Probably a big fat Dobsonian this time.

[7]

I'm really considering getting a new telescope. But whenever I have enough extra cash to get a good one, I always end up spending the money in the studio.

I've seen some cheap 5 inch reflectors ($150) and am thinking about getting one. Anything is better then the "toy" I have now.

[mosc]

Here is one of my favorite views of Saturn:



Two days after its encounter with Saturn, Voyager 1 looked back on the planet from a distance of more than 5 million kilometers (3 million miles). This view of Saturn has never been seen by an earth based telescope, since the earth is so close to the Sun only the sunlit face of Saturn can be seen.

[paul e.]

what processes were used to render that image..it looks like a false-colour image ..or...looks almost graphical

[mosc]

I'm not sure. I stole it from here: http://www.solarviews.com/cap/sat/saturnb.htm