Mars is still just a point of light? Is there any combination of eyepiece and/or filter that will let us view the panet surface?
1958042
Mars is a very small sized planet. With human eyes there's no way to see Mars' surface as you seen on the picture.
1958043
Actually, in even a modest telescope, i.e., a 120mm refractor with a 30mm eyepiece, Jupiter will appear the size of a pea held at arm's length. The same scope with a 15mm eyepiece will render Mars about the same size... much more than 'a point of light'. However, to view any detail whatsoever on Mars, (or Jupiter) you'd need a very dark and still sky, with virtually no light polution... an extremely rare set of circumstances. Once, at the Roper Mountain Observatory, I observed a global dust storm on Mars. We could actually see it advancing across the planet's surface. But conditions were ideal, and that scope is a huge Alvan Clark refractor. No combination of telescope/filter/eyepiece will render planetary detail if conditions aren't at least good-to-excellent. Hope this answers your question, Bill
1958044
You can use barlow lense to double or triple the size of Mars. Unfortunately Mars is so small that it needs a much larger aperture, a steady go to mount and really god eyepiece to observe Mars in a much larger state.
1293514
I don't believe so but I don't use the camera myself as we bought them for the women in the class. I see no sign of panoramic mode.
2039860
Yes. You can type "SkyQuest xt6" into Youtube and get a sense of the view you'll get. Keep in mind that the best views are available under particular conditions with specific eyepieces, but you can certainly see planets--Jupiter and Saturn, for example--with the xt6 as is.
1246562
Yes a security camera with a 1.25 c mount adapter can and slow exposures can show lots of deep space video. There are several USB video cameras that can also be used but they tend to only be good for planetary viewing. On Google look up "Samsung scb-2000" and Astro-video those two topics should really get you going. I do Astro-video for the public at star parties.
2210052
This unit is just a finder. You cannot use it to see the planeta or stars; for that you need a telescope. This unit just helps you identify what you are looking at
920075
The rings can be seen on Saturn, the bands on Jupiter, and the Great Red Spot. You can make out the reddish hue on Mars, but don't expect to see the ice caps. On a clear night you can see this items fairly clearly. The moon has some excellent detail in it, but that's not too difficult to achieve. You can also view some star clusters nicely as well. The Great Red Spot "can" be resolved if you have a sharp enough focus and clear enough night. The double cluster looks fantastic.
602908
You can see a wide range of Messier objects especially the beehive cluster (M44) in Cancer which actually is naked eye but the binoculars really bring out the texture. I went through most of appendix A of the Astronomical Leagues Binocular Messier program with my 7x35 and will finish up with my 10x50's.
2280905
Yes. Now I don't know whether the provided eyepieces will give you the best results, but with a good 17mm lens you can see the stripes of Jupiter and, of course, the rings of Saturn. Moons of Jupiter easily visible as well.
1368941
Mars. With this little gizzmo you can't really focus on anything on planet Earth. I threw mine away five minutes after getting it. With optics, you get what you pay for! Although $6 reading glasses aren't bad...
1305869
LOL Oh no, ask away!! Personally I believe a reflector scope will be much easier to use than a refractor. Yes, you should still be able to see Saturn and it's rings. Even with a scope having a greater aperture and a high magnification lens you will not be able to discern much in the way of surface features. In a good dark sky area and with ideal conditions you might be able to pick out some cloud bands and that's about it. BTW, even with a XT4.5 you will also be able to see the largest 4 of Saturn's moon's orbiting about it! If it is within your budget I would bump the scope up to an XT6, if not then the XT4.5 is still a fine scope for starters. Also, have you considered a good pair of binoculars? You will still be able to see Saturn's rings and binocs can afford you some truly impressive views of the milky way as well as star clusters and some comets. Their wide field of view can make for some stunning viewing. I'd recommend getting a tripod with binoculars so you can keep them steady while viewing. Binoculars are a fine way (and can be even cheaper) for beginning to learn the night sky.
1661998
Sorry, if you are looking in our solar system yes you can see the planets, but not other solar systems.
78396
Thank you for your response Darrell, this discussion board seems pretty much dead so I thought I would never get answered, but I did, and a great answer at that.I've been thinking about buying the Orion XT4.5 now, I'm aware the image will not be as great as the 8 inch but I'll still be able to see Saturn right? Would this be better than a refractor telescope? Sorry for all the questions! No more questions after this, I promise.
2280903
Saturn is my favorite planet to view currently. Good detail with this scope(over my Orion SpaceProbeST)..and the more you time you spend observing, the more detail you will see.
1313978
The supplied eyepiece will show the rings. What level of detail are you seeking? Cassini's division? Given good seeing conditions, achievable with suppied eyepiece which is roughly 50X.I have used 150X for better results. Cheers!
2042952
I have no problem making out Jupiter's stripes, but haven't seen the spot. I haven't had a clear enough night at a time of transit (http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/3304091.html?page=1&c=y). In addition to what comes in the package, I added a 3x barlow lens to increase the effective focal length.
64201
I suggest going to a planetarium if that is what you want to see. Great instrument for the moon and planets, but you won't get Observatory quality.
826157
Yes you can. Even Jupiter's belts and its moons. You can see mars' polar ice caps depending on the season. Saturn, you can see Cassini division and of course the rings, rarely a moon.