Acuter Mak 60 Planet Observations

Jupiter and Galilean Moons near Jupiter as observed by Mike Otis early morning May 12, 2022 with the new Acuter Maksy 60 telescope using a 20mm EP and table top mount. The drawing graphic depicts two of the three moons visible and the image scale is vastly increased from the raw visual. The moon closest to Jupiter is Io and farther to the left is Ganymede. Not shown at this image scale, located farther to the left is Europa.

Acuter Mak 60 Planet Observations
On the early morning of May 12, 2022, around 4 to 4:20 am, the Acuter Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope was used for the first time to observe all the main planets Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. A number of things were learned about the telescope.

Left: the smaller image scale is more like the visual at the telescope and depicts Io, Ganymede and Europa from right to left. The observations were made through window glass at around 4:20 am on the morning of May 12th. At a 30-degree altitude, Jupiter had the least effect from the atmosphere compared to Venus.

* The 20mm eyepiece with 37.5x is too low a magnification to show significant detail on planets. It is, however, good for showing all the Galilean moons of Jupiter. For detail on the globe, the telescope should be ramped up to around 120x but then tracking the planet will become a great challenge.

Venus was spectacular in brightness and showed a "moon-like" phase. The low altitude was affecting the image. This drawing rendition by Mike Otis shows the phase of Venus through the new Acuter Maksy 60 telescope and a 20mm eyepiece. The scale is greatly exaggerated.

Left: this depiction of Venus and its phase, with the 60mm telescope, is closer to the actual visual observation regarding image size. At the lower "bubbling atmospheric" altitude and with the brightness of Venus, the phase was a challenge

* The small table top tripod is insufficient for astro imaging of planets and fine detailed motions. Therefore, the first observations included here will be various visual drawings and representations. In the future, the Maksutov will mount onto the Celestron Nexstar 6SE and have total digital control and tracking.

Left: Mars was a tiny dot very pronounced in orange color and too small to see any detail

* The bumps on the side of the telescope are not sufficient for finding objects during the night. Even with some illumination near the telescope, the bumps are difficult to see and line up. For study other than the Moon, a finderscope is needed. The Mak could also be mounted on another telescope and use its finding resources.

Saturn and its ring systems were too small to show any detail and the image scale from a 37.5x ocular was not enough. When Saturn is closer to the Earth, 120x should show more. The visual depiction here is only a guide.

As the rich and successful observing night with the new Acuter Maksy 60 telescope concluded, a beautiful golden sunrise appeared in the East with noctilucent appearing clouds, flanked by the tallest skyscraper in Taiwan located nearby - Taipei 101 (with 101 stories) towering at a height of 1,667-feet and scientific antenna dishes for various satellite and weather studies. The skyscraper is so tall, it often can be seen rising up into the clouds with the top section completely obscured and the bottom visible. Three such skyscrapers placed end to end would reach a full mile into the sky. The spectacular skyscraper sports a tower at the peak which is lit according to aircraft and airport rules and regulations. This is ideal for use as an artificial star and for calibrating finderscopes and checking telescope parametrics.

About 101

Its design incorporates a number of features that enable the structure to withstand the Pacific Ring of Fire's earthquakes and the region's tropical storms. The tower houses offices, restaurants, and indoor and outdoor observatories. The tower is adjoined by a multilevel shopping mall that has the world's largest ruyi symbol as an exterior feature.

Going to the Top Observatory

After the construction of Taipei 101, I was given permission to go up to the top of the skyscraper at the tallest point of the tower. The last part to get there is by taking the steps. The extra steep steps did not conform to what I expected to be USA building code dimensions and in my exuberance and excitement, I stumbled on a step and nearly fell all the way down. A couple security agents probably almost had heart attacks! I finally made it up to the top where it was extremely windy, cold and dangerous, feeling that a strong gust of wind could pick me up and send me sailing out across the sky! But the risk was well worth it - the view was spectacular! Some time later, all people were prohibited from going outside to the top so I had a very lucky and exciting experience.