Tracking planets

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jb123
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Tracking planets

#1

Post by jb123 »


Hello Everyone I didn't know quite where to start so I decided to start here. I have one question I hope someone can answer for me.When I focus on a planet, say Jupiter, the image will not remain stable when I let go of the scope. It immediately begins to gradually drift out of view which has been very frustrating. It does not do this with the Moon which i get excellent views of. Can someone please give me some advice as to what's causing this. Jb
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helicon United States of America
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Re: Planetary

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Post by helicon »


jb123 wrote: Wed Aug 25, 2021 2:37 pm Hello Everyone I didn't know quite where to start so I decided to start here. I have one question I hope someone can answer for me.When I focus on a planet, say Jupiter, the image will not remain stable when I let go of the scope. It immediately begins to gradually drift out of view which has been very frustrating. It does not do this with the Moon which i get excellent views of. Can someone please give me some advice as to what's causing this. Jb
Hi and Welcome to the forums jb123. This is due to the earth's rotation and you will see the same effect if you look at a star field through your telescope. With an alt-azimuth mount you will gently need to nudge the tube to keep the object centered in the field of view.
-Michael
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jb123
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Re: Tracking planets

#3

Post by jb123 »


Thanks Michael I should have known but since it doesn't do it with the moon I thought it might be due to the lens I'm using. But I'm relieved. I just need a little more practice. Thanks again.
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ARock
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Re: Tracking planets

#4

Post by ARock »


If you have an EQ mount, it is easier to manually track. You just need to move the scope in 1 axis (using a slow motion knob) as opposed to 2 axes on an alt az mount. So, even if you step away from the scope for a couple of minutes, you can come back and move one knob and get Jupiter in your field of view (FOV) again.

It is also cheaper to add a RA motor to an EQ mount, which will track the rotation of the earth automatically and keep objects in the FOV.

You will notice, that the larger the magnification, the smaller the FOV and the faster the object drifts out of your FOV.

Not sure if you have an EQ mount or an Alt Az mount. BTW, you can add your equipment to your signature in the profile page, so it shows up on all your posts.

Welcome to the forum !
AR
Scopes: Zhumell Z8, Meade Adventure 80mm, Bushnell 1300x100 Goto Mak.
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AP: 50mm guidescope, AR0130 based guidecam, Canon T3i, UHC filter.
EPs: ES82 18,11,6.7mm, Zhumell 30,9mm FJ Ortho 9mm, assorted plossls, Meade 2x S-F Barlow, DGM NPB filter.
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JayTee United States of America
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Re: Tracking planets

#5

Post by JayTee »


It would really help if we knew what kind of telescope and mount you're using.

Cheers
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
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jb123
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Re: Tracking planets

#6

Post by jb123 »


Hello all again, and thanks for the reply. I am using a Zhumell 130 , alt az , and lately with a 6mm eyepiece and 3x barlow lens. Tues. night I got the best views of Jupiter and Saturn yet but the strangest thing happened last night. I did not achieve the same magnification and the planets appeared more like stars even though they were still as bright as previously observed though in a different location. Could this be because they are now farther away ?
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OzEclipse Australia
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Re: Tracking planets

#7

Post by OzEclipse »


The Moon and Jupiter and Saturn and stars, nebulae and clusters will all drift out of the field almost exactly the same way. If you are using a low magnification eyepiece for the Moon and high magnification for Jupiter, that would explain why you are seeing the drift at different rates. This drift is normal.
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Amateur astronomer since 1978...................Web site : http://joe-cali.com/
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Richard South Africa
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Re: Tracking planets

#8

Post by Richard »


You are using too much magnification your scope is a F5 so you could perhaps use a 4 mm max on a good day , with a 6mm and a 3x Barlow its a 2mm way over the top for most telescopes and therefore you will not achieve focus .
No the planets are not further away they move quite slowly , the ones you mention take many years to revolve around the sun
I would not use the 3x barlow , only perhaps on the moon , just try with the 6mm for Jupiter and saturn for around 108x will not be as big but much clearer , no use just seeing a big bright blob
From your previous post the moon is bright and a large target but it moves the same as the planets , just look at it , leave for a few seconds like 30 and its gone
If you want the best magnification from your scope a 5mm would be the best to get , not sure what 6mm you have but if it came with the scope then a better 5mm will help a bit
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Richard South Africa
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Re: Tracking planets

#9

Post by Richard »


Further to my previous post your scope is a good starter and is made for wide field views , so look at the many other objects in the sky I am not sure how much LP you have but a phone APP always helps a bit
Reflectors GSO 200 Dobs
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jb123
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Re: Tracking planets

#10

Post by jb123 »


Thank you both for you excellent advice. I'm just beginning and I know I need a little more experience using these eyepieces and learning which ones and which combinations to use.Also I know now I should have gone with the 2x Barlow.Thanks again. James
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Thefatkitty Canada
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Re: Tracking planets

#11

Post by Thefatkitty »


Hi jb123, and welcome to TSS :D

I'd have to say you're using too much magnification for your scope. I'd skip the barlows altogether, and maybe move up to a 15-20mm lens, even a 25mm. Lower magnification will make the planets appear as planets with moons (at least Jupiter and possibly Saturn, depending on your skies), not points of light. Also, objects won't drift out of your field of view as fast, giving you more time to enjoy the view :D

All the best,
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4 & AZ-EQ5 mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
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W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.

Oh yeah, and Solar Cycle 25 :D
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