Saw Jupiter through an 8-inch dob at Mauna Kea and now I think big scopes are overrated

I spent years thinking you needed a huge telescope to get good planetary views. Then a guy at the Mauna Kea visitor center let me look through his 8-inch Dobsonian, and the detail on Jupiter was insane. I sold my 12-inch SCT a month later and haven't looked back. Anyone else downsize their setup and see better results?

2 comments

2 Comments

michael_craig12d ago

You used to be on the big scope train too? I was the same way until I borrowed an 8 inch from a buddy and saw Saturn's rings sharper than in my 14 inch. Made me realize aperture ain't everything.

willow_garcia12d ago

So now I gotta downgrade to get better views, that's how this works?