Hi all,
Last night was supposedly to be an early night because clouds rolled in around 23:00UT+1. However, I ended up down the YouTube rabbit hole until 2am!
As I was locking-up the house, I could see Jupiter blazing brightly in the SW, and Saturn was there too. How could I resist?
So, as quietly as possible I opened the sliding door to the back garden to set-up my scope.
I said 'just a quick look', but before I knew it the sky was getting brighter... It was 03:34!!!
However, today's tiredness was so worth it...As I looked through my 9mm Expanse eyepiece with its 66degree AFOV Jupiter and its four Galilean moons looked incredible at 133X. The NEB and SEB were clearly visible. I thought the NEB looked slightly thicker than the SEB, particularly towards the center of the disc. In addition to the 9mm, I also used a 6mm, and used a 2X Barlow on both eyepieces, but at 133X Jupiter looked best.
Observing Saturn was another great experience. It definitely looked different from last year: the rings were better last year due to a more favourable tilt. In saying that, I did see some of the Cassini Division with the 6mm (200X). The Eastern side showed slightly more of a gap between the 'A' and 'B' rings. What's more, I could make out a darkened band just South of the Equator.
I believe, I observed some of Saturn's moons too, but I can't say for sure. I need to familiarise with this gas giant over the coming months; something I'm looking forward to for sure!
Clear skies to all,
Darren.
