Saturn and Jupiter in binoculars...

[ewomack]

On August 8th, I went on a little venture out into the garden and aligned my 25x70s onto Saturn for the first time. The view amazed me. Though small, I could make out the rings with even a slight hint of separation on the inside. Based on what I had heard and read, I expected more of a bloated football shape, but it actually looked like Saturn. My brain was wowed. I also didn't know that light pollution doesn't really affect viewing the planets, nor does the moon, apparently, since a very luminous waxing gibbous moon loomed across the sky. Saturn proved pretty easy to locate.

Then on August 20th, I went out to almost the same spot and looked straight east to see Jupiter and its 4 Galilean moons, all lined up nicely one after the other. This was probably just as impressive, if not more so, than Saturn. I made a small sketch (below) for my own posterity, since the mobile phone didn't seem up for capturing small points of light, just blobs

I had seen both planets in the past. Saturn at a star party maybe 10 - 15 years ago in a Dobsonian and an unforgettable view of Jupiter in a University's rooftop observatory. But I had never located them myself. Though not necessarily impressive feats, both experiences have nonetheless increased my interest in continuing with astronomy and probably upgrading my equipment sometime in the near future. The 25x70s have given me a taste of what exists to see out there and I would like to see more. A telescope is probably the next logical step, especially since I would like to see Mars, but it probably won't show up as much in the 25x70s.

[Bigzmey]

Well done Ewomack! 25x is definitely enough power to resolve Saturn ring, and 25x70 binos is quite capable instrument. Hundreds of DSOs are within their reach.

You can see Mars as a small disk with your binos, but to resolve surface details you will need higher power. Next Mars opposition is coming in December 2022, so you have a few months to figure out which scope would you like to get.

[helicon]

Great start Ed (ewomack) and congratulations on earning the TSS Visual Report of the Day award as nominated by your peers for your bino observation of Saturn and Jupiter! Please note the bling attached to your profile.

[Makuser]

Hi Ed. A very nice observing report using your 25x70 binoculars. Viewing Saturn and Jupiter for the first time with your own eyes is always exciting. And you drew a very nice Jupiter and moons sketch too. Thanks for sharing your observing experience with us on here Ed and congratulations on receiving the TSS VROD Award today.

[kt4hx]

Well done Ed, and congrats on your VROD award. As Andrey (Bigzmey) said, your instrument is very capable and a very good starting tool for learning the sky and observing many interesting objects. Keep up the good work and your visual impressions either by word and/or sketch are always welcome.

[Greenman]

congrats on the VROD, nice observations.

[gregl]

As a friend of mine says, "Too much fun!" And be sure to keep the binos after you get a scope. They are different instruments and both will remain useful.

[Unitron48]

Very nice session...and congrats on your VROD recognition! Many of us "cut our teeth" on those gas giants. Looking forward to more reporting and sketches!

Dave

[Juno16]

Wonderful observations!

I get the Saturn “football “ shape with my 10x50’s.

Your bino’s are much more capable planetary viewers.

Congratulations on the vrod!