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[gettr]

Hey all,

I keep noticing in the weekly events and and my sky software that Neptune and Uranus are out in the evening. It looks like one is in Aquarius and the other is in Capricornus. Would these be visible at all through my spotting scope? Or even recognizable as a planet? The scope will go up to 60x..... I never see anyone post about these planets. Jupiter and Saturn get alot of posts..... but, not Uranus and Neptune.

Thanks,
Dennis

[dewayne]

At 60X I imagine it would be tough to tell if you had them.
I'm not sure at that magnification they would show up as disks.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Dennis,

You have selected tough targets.

I only recently viewed both Neptune and Uranus thru a large aperture dob, I think it was a 12". The image itself is rather dim, but one can discern a most tiny disk...and the green/blue color. That is the telltale confirmation that you have it in your eyepiece.

Here is the current sky map for both the gas giants..

Forget about targeting them in your finder scope...unless you have incredible dark and steady skies. Maybe, just maybe, if your trained eye knew what to look for, could spot them in a finder...but highly doubtful.

A good scan will be rewarding. Good skies tonight. If you come across them, please do let us know. It will be a treat. Becky would be a good person to ask about this, as her 10" dob could pick them up.

Good luck and bless the Astronomer.

[stargazer]

Dennis,

If you want to know about locating these lovely fun objects just let me know. I will answer any questions you may have. I have seen them both and know what to look for. I have seen them from somewhat light polluted skies. They are right they are hard tro spot in a finder scope but if you know what you are looking for and have the right conditions you might. What town are you in. That will help me answer your questions.

B

[gettr]

Hi Becky,

I am the same gettr (Dennis) that also recently signed into your website also. I live out in Sheridan IL. Near Ottawa. I'm interested in trying to find them, but it might be a little unrealistic for my little spotting scope. A B&L Discovery 60mm Spotting scope..... it's really designed for terrestrial targets. I bought it for competitive shooting about 10 years ago. And as long as Meade is playing the back-order game...it's all I got until my LXD75 AR-6 shows up. Really though, as far as I'm concerned, it's done a pretty decent job helping me learn my way around. I've found a few cool things with it.(I spent weeks trying to find M57....I finally got it...wooohooo!) I was just interested in trying to find a couple of new targets.
Thanks,
Dennis

[stargazer]

Dennis,

Until you get the new scope it will be hard for you to locate them. I had a hard time in my scope at first becuse they dont look like a planet. More or less just a colored star. I'll tell you what let me know when you get the sccope and I will be more then happy to help you in any way I can. Just let me know.

Becky