Expert: Tom Whiting - 1/23/2005

Question
Hi Tom. I NEED HELP! :-)  I'm totally amateur in astronomy and I just got a new telescope before I read everything about them. Now I'm wondering if I didn't get the wrong one. I've no problem with the moon, but Saturn is in the sky and is supposed to be visable with any telescope using 45mm power.  I have a Galileo 800mm X 90mm.  I've tried using my 20mm with a 3x barlow and my 6.8-16mm with and without barlow.  I can see all constellations with my naked eye, but when I try to zone in on saturn, all I get is what looks like a far away star. When I use the zoom lens
and try to focus, I see a round light with a cross bow in the lens ( which is what my telescope opening that faces the sky looks like). It's like it's magnifying the opening of the telescope, even though originally it was focused on a tiny Saturn.  According to my magazines, you're supposed to be able to see at least 3 rings of Saturn with even binocular, so how come I'm having such trouble?  I'm really frustrated because of this. Can you please help me?? You are the only person who I read about that I thought could help a frustrated amateur like me?  I really want to view Saturn over the next few weeks because that's supposed to be the best viewing time. But if I can't even get saturn, how am I going to do Mars, Jupiter, ect?  Thanks so much and I TRULY appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks again! Jenifer  

Answer
Hi Jenifer;
If you paid less than $300 dollars for your scope....if you didn't send away for it, in other words, you either bought it from a local dept. store, off of E-Bay or some other internet service, you'd best take it back immediately.  Also the mirror  or front lens should be at least 5 or 6 inches in diameter.

That's NOT true about binoculars showing all three rings....binoculars show Saturn as simply as a slightly  oval -shaped object....it takes at least a 5 or 6 inch glass (diameter) to split the A ring From the B ring...ie...be able to see the dark Cassini's division splitting the A ring from the B ring, and see
2 rings.
For the very faint Crepe ring (the C ring), that takes at least a
12 or 14 inch diameter glass.

Well, I'm not familar with that type of scope...the best way
to go about purchasing a scope is to first join a local club,
get to know the other amateurs in that club, see what kind
of equipment they have, and use their advice.  Also, before
purchasing a scope, what do you want to specialize in?
(And you WILL specialize as there is too much not to....)
Variable stars, lunar/planetary detail, splitting doubles/
multiple stars, comet hunting, asteroids, deep sky objects,
ETC. ETC.  Scopes are like airplanes....all airplanes fly
but you don't send a bomber to do a fighter's job....
There is a scope out there that maximizes your particular
activity or speciality....otherwise, we'd all have the same
scope, right?  But we don't.  Because we all have specialized
interests so we want a scope that maximizes that particular
type of object in the night sky.

Equipment comes LAST, in our great hobby, not first.
You first have to learn the night sky. You also have to
first research out and find the scope that you want to use
that maximizes your particular activity in astronomy.
Make your first scope a pair of binoculars to learn the night
sky (self-teach yourself as it is not that hard.)

BTW, where is Saturn right now...what constellation
and what bright star or stars is it near?  I want to make sure
you are really on Saturn and not a bright star nearby it.

You are frustrated because the equipment exceeded your
current knowledge about amateur astronomy, because you
haven't learned enough about the subject, or telescopes,
so you over-exceeded your knowledge....put scope away,
join a local club, do more reading and studying about the
subject.  Sorry, but that's all I can offer for now.
(I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear,
but I have to be honest).
Also, feel free to contact me directly if you need some
specific help on where Saturn or any other planet is, right
now.....at bwhiting@velocity.net    if you wish.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA