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Jupiter Shadow Transit and Magnification

Started by vignesh, 03/12/2003 02:55PM
Posted 03/12/2003 02:55PM Opening Post
Thinking about getting into planetary observing a bit with my XT10. What is the minimum maginification once should use to see shadow transits on Jupiter?

Here is my problem.

My scope takes a while to cool down, so I cant really bump the mag up because it is not sharp enough until it really cools down. And I don't have a lot of time to step outside. Given the short observation time I have, I would like to know if a magnification of around 120x would be sufficient to viewing the shadow transits? Images are sharp upto this magnification and I have to leave scope out much longer for using more magnification (which is a problem for me).

Planetary Observers, what are your thoughts?
Posted 03/12/2003 03:18PM #1
Hi Srinivas,

With a 10" at 120x, you should have no problem seeing shadow transits on Jupiter. The shadows should look like small black dots on Jupiter's face.

Sol Robbins
Posted 03/12/2003 09:51PM #2
Hello there Srinivas,

It depends on the quality of optics and if it's cooled
down sufficiently enough. But I've seen the shadow transit
looking like a black pin pricked microscopic point at 72x (12mm Radian) through my 4" TV-102 APO.

Ron B[ee]
PS - Perhaps, a small, quick cooling, at-a-moment deploying
refractor is in your kharma ;-)? I've found my 4" refractor suiting my on-a-whim, busy, body-disbuilding :-( lifestyle perfectly. I'm also getting a larger aperture for when those great nights arrive.