Ring Spotting Scopes
Ring Spotting Scopes
Can I really see the rings of Saturn and the red spot on Jupiter with a 300$ telescope?
I'm interested in amateur astronomy and trying to figure out what type of scope to buy. My question is about the resolution one can achieve with a typical 4.5 or 6 inch dobsonian mount telescope. I want to be able to see the rings of Saturn.
Also, when people say these kinds of scopes are good for viewing deep space. Does that mean you can really see nebulas and galaxies? If so, are these object going to be clear enough to actually know what they are?
Good question. That shows you have reasonable expectations. The views through your scope will never look nearly as good as the photos you see in magazines or online.
With a 4.5 inch dobsonian, you will definitely be able to see Saturns rings and the great red spot on Jupiter.
Through my 5" refractor with a 9mm eyepiece and barlow, I can get a very good view of Saturn. Not super spectacular, the planet certainly does not fill the eyepiece. It looks like a enlarged dot, a disk, with easily visible rings. A little color. The Cassini division barely visible.
Jupiter looks slightly larger, with some banding barely visible with slight color. The red spot can be seen but not with much detail. The moons of Jupiter are also visible in the same frame.
Depp space objects look good through a 5 or 6 inch scope. With a low-powere eyepiece (I use a 24mm) for DSO's, you can easily make out many Messier objects. None of them show any color. More like white "fuzzies" with shape that can be detected. For example, Andromeda galaxy looks like a large white fuzzy spot with the shape of a galaxy and no detail in the dust lanes at all. DSO's viewing depends heavily on your light pollution. Dark skies are necessary to see anything at all.
Here's a good source of info. These are observing reports from people using various sizes/types of scope. They will give you a general idea of what you can expect to see.
http://www.visualdeepsky.org/netastrocatalog/objectlist.html
Featured Ring Spotting Scopes For Sale:
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DescriptionWith a tube length of 11 inches, a 90mm (3.5") precision-polished fully multi-coated meniscus front lens, and solid uncompromising construction. the Apex 90 Compact Mak is a paragon of portability, optical excellence, and durability... Features
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Adorama 58mm to T-mount Adapter: for Mounting 58mm Threaded Digital Cameras on a Telescope, Spotting Scope or Nightvision Scope.
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DescriptionThis is a 58mm thread to a T-mount (42mm) thread adapter. It allows all 58mm threaded cameras to be used with telescope and spotting scopes, through the use of a scope T-adapter. Most scope to T-adapters are available through the scope manufacturer. |
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Adorama 37mm to T-mount Adapter: for Mounting 37mm Threaded Digital Cameras on a Telescope, Spotting Scope or Nightvision Scope
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DescriptionThis is a 37mm thread to a T-mount (42mm) thread adapter. It allows all 37mm threaded cameras to be used with telescope and spotting scopes, through the use of a scope T-adapter. Most scope to T-adapters are available through the scope manufacturer. |
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Pedco UltraPod II Lightweight Camera Tripod
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DescriptionThe UltraPod II from Pedco from Pedco is a lightweight and compact tripod built with durability and go-anywhere convenience for demanding photographers. Designed for use with camcorders, spotting scopes, medium format cameras, and 35-millimeter cameras with larger lenses, the UltraPod II is constructed from molded fiberglass reinforced nylon with aluminum threaded components... Features
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