Observing reports - 70mm Refractor

This page is dedicated to observations made with a 70mm refractor. The observing reports shown below should give you a flavour of what you can see with this type of instrument.

Observer: Cameron T. Chen

E-mail address: tradewind@medmail.com

Date and time of Observation: Jan. 29-30, 2000

Observing Location: Fitzroy, Victoria (2km from Melbourne CBD) 38S 145E

Object Observed: Jupiter, Saturn, M42

Viewing conditions: Fair (mag. limit 4.2)

Telescope 70mm refractor, f/5, achromat

Eyepiece SuperPlossl 32mm, RK20mm, K12mm, K9mm

Observing notes:
I've just been getting started in astronomy again after being out of action for the last 10 years or so. I was planning on getting a 8'' Dob (I still will later) but I got myself a Saxon (made by Synta Technology Taiwan) SF350 70mm f/5 spotter scope that came with a 1.25'' focuser and two eyepieces. I also obtained some second-hand eyepieces at bargain prices, most notably a SuperPlossl 32mm for a measly $A45 ($US24). The scope came on a Table Top Tripod and a less than impressive 8x21 finder although the latter was at least well mounted. I fondly named this cute little thing "Prontasco".
First object was the Pleiades in Taurus. I whacked on my SuperPlossl 32mm at the lowest power (11x) and they were all in the same field. However it was a lot less impressive than thru binoculars.
Next object last night was Saturn. I just couldn't wait to see the rings. At 18x (20mm) the planet was elongated and there was just a hint of ring structure. The rings were confirmed at 39x (9mm) but even with a 2x barlow at 78x I could not see any hint of Cassini's division. Using a 3x barlow Saturn's size was considerably larger, but the contrast was getting compromised. Conditions were by no means optimal; temperature was about 65 degrees Fahrenheit and it was blustery and hazy. I was, however, able to see two of Saturn's moons, presumably Titan and Rhea.
Jupiter was also small, I got to see a couple of cloud bands at 39x - JUST. On the night of the 29th there were only two moons visible but on the 30th I got to see all four. They certainly do change position.... but they were just star like dots. But they were much more separated than when I was using 7x50 binoculars.
As for the Great Nebula's trapezium, I found three stars easily, but the fourth was more difficult. I could see it with averted vision, with difficulty yesterday (29th). Tonight it was somewhat easier.
Well I'm going to take Prontasco out to a dark sky site tomorrow if things stay clear. I just can't wait for my dob to arrive. Next thing to do is try to split Castor.....

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Observer:	Cameron T. Chen
E-mail address:	tradewind@medmail.com
Date and time of Observation:	Jan. 29-30, 2000
Observing Location:	Fitzroy, Victoria (2km from Melbourne CBD) 38S 145E
Object Observed:	Jupiter, Saturn, M42
Viewing conditions:	Fair (mag. limit 4.2)
Telescope	70mm refractor, f/5, achromat
Eyepiece	SuperPlossl 32mm, RK20mm, K12mm, K9mm
Observing notes:	I've just been getting started in astronomy again after being out of action for the last 10 years or so. I was planning on getting a 8'' Dob (I still will later) but I got myself a Saxon (made by Synta Technology Taiwan) SF350 70mm f/5 spotter scope that came with a 1.25'' focuser and two eyepieces. I also obtained some second-hand eyepieces at bargain prices, most notably a SuperPlossl 32mm for a measly $A45 ($US24). The scope came on a Table Top Tripod and a less than impressive 8x21 finder although the latter was at least well mounted. I fondly named this cute little thing "Prontasco". First object was the Pleiades in Taurus. I whacked on my SuperPlossl 32mm at the lowest power (11x) and they were all in the same field. However it was a lot less impressive than thru binoculars. Next object last night was Saturn. I just couldn't wait to see the rings. At 18x (20mm) the planet was elongated and there was just a hint of ring structure. The rings were confirmed at 39x (9mm) but even with a 2x barlow at 78x I could not see any hint of Cassini's division. Using a 3x barlow Saturn's size was considerably larger, but the contrast was getting compromised. Conditions were by no means optimal; temperature was about 65 degrees Fahrenheit and it was blustery and hazy. I was, however, able to see two of Saturn's moons, presumably Titan and Rhea. Jupiter was also small, I got to see a couple of cloud bands at 39x - JUST. On the night of the 29th there were only two moons visible but on the 30th I got to see all four. They certainly do change position.... but they were just star like dots. But they were much more separated than when I was using 7x50 binoculars. As for the Great Nebula's trapezium, I found three stars easily, but the fourth was more difficult. I could see it with averted vision, with difficulty yesterday (29th). Tonight it was somewhat easier. Well I'm going to take Prontasco out to a dark sky site tomorrow if things stay clear. I just can't wait for my dob to arrive. Next thing to do is try to split Castor.....