Shaking Image

[Pattyd123]

I am quite new. Last night I discovered the skies relatively clear (which hasn't happened much lately), so I grabbed my telescope and went out to the deck. There are lots of trees, so my viewing time/space is limited. It was still a bit light, but Jupiter was there and Saturn popped out a few minutes later. But, the viewing wasn't so great. The images were shaking a bit. No it wasn't me, or the mount. I've heard that atmosphere cooling can affect what/how you see. Is this what was happening? I'd say the scope was outside about 10-15 minutes before viewing, with about 10 degrees difference from inside temp and outside. Thought that would be enough.

Also, couldn't get a real sharp image. The first time I looked at Saturn on 9/25, I could see rings distinctly. Last night, using the same lenses, I could tell they were there, but it lacked the 'awesome' from last time.

Thoughts, anyone? Thanks in advance!

[Lady Fraktor]

Hello Patty, we would need to know what equipment you are using to give a really informed answer.
It was most likely heat waves rising if you are in a city/ suburban area though depending on the type of telescope you may need much more cooldown time for the telescope to acclimate.

[UlteriorModem]

went out to the deck

There is your culprit right there. Scopes need to be on solid ground. Even just walking on the deck will introduce vibrations.

[John Baars]

You were lucky the first time!
What you saw last night was a typical example of what we call "bad seeing" Every telescope suffers from it. One type somewhat more than the other. Maksutovs and Schmidt Cassegrains the most, Newtons in between and Refractors the least. In the description below I assume that the telescope, mount and focusser were set up vibration-free.

In general there are two types of seeing.
1. The one inside the telescope as a result of the cooling down process. Once the telescope is cooled down you'll notice that the image is less turbulent than at the moment you started observing.
2. The one at the outside as a result of turbulent air in the atmosphere. That is the one you or your telescope can do nothing about.
In bad seeing bright stars do not remain neat dots, but are smeared in moving and sparkling blobs of light. You have already experienced what bad seeing looks like on Saturn.

To give you an impression from bad to good!
http://www.damianpeach.com/pickering.htm

Some amateurs use the scale of Antoniadi, in which 1 is good and 5 is bad. A bit confusing I'm afraid, both scales are used.

[Pattyd123]

Thank you, all, for your input. John, it all makes sense. Maybe I was lucky with my first view of Jupiter and Saturn, but I won't ever forget it. I waited weeks for a clear sky (we had lots of haze/smoke from the western fires) and finally, the first night you could call clear, I was ready and out there.

I doubt it was the deck because I was in the same spot weeks before. And, I'm the only one on the deck; no one else moving.

I did add my equipment to a signature, but apparently it didn't come up. I am NW of Chicago in the outer suburbs - still suburbs and light pollution. I used a Celestron 130EQ, 15mm lens and a 2x Barlow. This was all that I'd used the first time. Worked well the first time. :-) Still working my way through what lens to use. I do know the calculations.

[pakarinen]

I'd suspect air turbulence first, but I observe from my deck and I can get a bouncy image just by tapping my foot hard. Maybe that means my deck is about to collapse? (I'd rather have a patio anyway!)

[Lady Fraktor]

I'd suspect air turbulence first, but I observe from my deck and I can get a bouncy image just by tapping my foot hard. Maybe that means my deck is about to collapse? (I'd rather have a patio anyway!)

I doubt your deck will collapse, it is just the nature of any wooden structure, it will flex.
There is no way around it

[AbbN]

Since you live in the Chicago area, this may be of interest to you:
https://astronomer.proboards.com/

Abb

[Baurice]

I am from England but spent some time in Naperville while teaching a class. I took a few shots while I was there.

If your images dance, it is mostly air turbulence. The only "cure" is to try lower magnification. When viewing planets and the Moon, I start with low magnification then work my way up.

[Lowjiber]

Okay... Don't laugh. This is real.

Sometimes when trying to find a dim DSO visually, gently tapping the eyepiece to induce a slight shake will reveal the object. It's because the human eye catches minor movement better on the edge of the view. When we're using averted vision that little shake works out well.

I know that's not the issue, but I just wanted to point out that a little shake can be beneficial in the right place.

Clear Skies & Stay Safe