Help

[Adrianf]

OK as you are aware I am totally new to astronomy:duh: I have been looking at what I believe to be Jupiter but all I can see is a bright disk about 1-2 mm in diameter with a couple of smaller stars around it. Do I need filters to cut the brightness to see it more clearly or is what I am getting about it? Can anyone recommend filters if I need them? I am using a 114mm reflecting telescope with a 3X barlow and a 12.5mm eyepiece I do have a 4mm eyepiece but I find it dificult to use. Can anyone recommend an eyepiece brandwise? The eyepieces I am using are 1.25".

Adrian

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

Mate, you are trying to magnify the images WAY too much! A 4mm eyepiece is very magnifying whereas you would be better off with a 25mm or even a 40mm eyepiece. The smaller the eyepiece, the more powerful it is, but the more critical becomes the focus.

Often it is better to keep the image smaller and sharper, than to blow it up too much and lose all the detail.

I pray this helps mate.

Baz.

[Adrianf]

OK I understand about the lenses and magnification I do not use the 4mm one except I have taken out the lenses to make a collimation eyepiece. I only use the 12.5 and 20mm eyepieces for viewing. My question was do I need a filter to reduce the light from the planet so I can view the planet better instead of just a ball of light.

Adrian

[A.S.I.G.N_Baz]

OK I understand about the lenses and magnification I do not use the 4mm one except I have taken out the lenses to make a collimation eyepiece. I only use the 12.5 and 20mm eyepieces for viewing. My question was do I need a filter to reduce the light from the planet so I can view the planet better instead of just a ball of light.

Adrian

I have red, blue and yellow filters that just screw onto the bottom of my eyepieces. Some of these can improve contrast or bring out specific detail.

I can view Jupiter no problems with my 11 inch SCT without filters.

All I can say is try if you like, but you shouldn't need them.