I'm using a Meade ETX-70AT Telescope
With the 25mm eyepiece it came with.
2007-03-21 09:46:53 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It is possible that it is a focus issue. You 25mm eye piece should get you about 14x or 15x, which is just enough to let you see the rings as long as you know you are supposed to see them.
During the day, take your scope outside (DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN, OK) and focus on the most distant object at the horizon you can find. Is it clear and crisp? The focus for Saturn should not be too far away from that.
Depending on where you are, there will be a crescent moon tonight in the west. Focus on that. When the image is clear and sharp, you should not have to change the focus at all from that to look at Saturn. Both those object are essentially at infinity, or nearly so, as far as 15x is concerned.
A 9mm eye piece will take you up to 34x, so you might want to get one. Just make sure that your 25mm works by following the procedure above.
HTH
Charles
2007-03-21 11:25:15 · answer #1 · answered by Charles 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dear Sir:
The Meade ETX-70 series scope is a nice hunk of hardware, not the best, but a nice one. You will probably desire to invest in a good 9mm eye piece before to long. I suspect that your focus adjustment is not set correctly. Take the scope out on a clear night and focus it on the Moon very carefully. Make sure you have it adjusted for the sharpest possible image. Then carefully lock down the focus adjustment. Check it once more. If fully satisfied that it has not moved, swing onto your settings for Saturn and you should see a much better image.
Check your star and planet charts for the orbital period of Saturn and note the times/dates when it is closest to Earth.
Closer location = better viewing.
After you have owned the ETX-70 for about a year or two and seen all that it can do for you with an assortment of eye pieces, sell it to a friend who wants to begin looking into space. Take that money, and some from odd jobs here and there, and purchase an even better scope. Then you will be able to really "see." High quality optics cost around $ 3,000 to 4,000 US.
Good luck
Zah
2007-03-21 11:41:55 · answer #2 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not too sure, could just be the wrong eyepiece for the job........ check out http://www.telescopehouse.co.uk for others to expand on the one you've got.
You may get better luck checking out the Meade ETX fan site run by a guy called Mike Weasner: http://www.weasner.com/etx/index.html
2007-03-21 10:36:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I checked NASA's solar system simulator ( http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/ ) and Saturn's rings are in a good position to view. Check to make sure your focus is correct. The first time I saw Saturn, with an old 400x refractor, I saw an elongated blob and thought the colimation was messed up. When I realized it WAS Saturn, I adjusted the focus and was amazed at how tiny and thin the rings looked.
Good luck.
2007-03-21 11:49:30 · answer #4 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saturn's rings are thousands of miles wide, but only 300 metres thick. Would that be the reason. It is a beautiful planet though.
2007-03-21 09:55:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be the angle at which the rings are relative to your point of view. You could be seeing them side on, rather from above or below.
2007-03-21 09:58:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your eyepiece isn't strong enough. I had a 400mm and i still didn't see it.
2007-03-21 09:54:40 · answer #7 · answered by invisible 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you get a good answer to this. I am having a simular problem with mine.
2007-03-21 09:52:23 · answer #8 · answered by Carla R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too far away?
2007-03-21 09:50:36 · answer #9 · answered by Animal 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
thats the sun
2007-03-21 09:49:49 · answer #10 · answered by Catman 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋