<p>You should definitely be able to see the 4 main moons of Jupiter. You won’t need additional magnification - they can be seen through 10 x binoculars. It’s possible that when you looked the moons were close to or behind Jupiter, so worth trying again. Or it may be that James is right and you were looking at a star. 
As for the bands on Jupiter, these are quite subtle but at 60x magnification, 2 dark bands should be visible. Don’t expect to see the Great Red Spot, at least initially. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-12T14:43:16.387Z
2018-03-12T14:43:16.387Z
Dr Chuck
<p>Take a look at <a href="http://www.deepskywatch.com/Articles/what-can-i-see-through-telescope.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.deepskywatch.com/Articles/what-can-i-see-through-telescope.html</a></p>

<p>Note the example picture of Jupiter, shown to simulate its size (on a typical computer screen) when viewed at a magnification of 180x. If you use 60x magnification, your view will be a third of the size.</p>

<p>Planetary discs are really small!</p>

<p>However, you should see something that isn't point-like with some banding. And you certainly should be able to see the moons (which do look like a line of stars) and are visible even in a small pair of binoculars.</p>

<p>The fix could depend on what is wrong, which could be any of a range of problems, from "silly mistakes" (such as pointing the telescope a bright star instead of a planet) or lens that aren't what they claim to be. Atmospheric problems (like trying to view through a window), or technical problems (if a telescope isn't properly collimated). Your best bet might be to find local experts, a local astronomy club or similar.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-12T14:31:59.287Z
2018-03-12T14:31:59.287Z
James K
<p>Need Help. I have a problem with my 50 mm objective with 500mm focal length refractor telescope. I can see moon clearly. I have 18 mm and 9 mm eyepieces.</p>

<p>I see Jupiter and Venus as a bright point when focused at 30x or 60x and I see white disk when out of focus. While I have successfully resolved double stars with it and I saw Pleiades star cluster clearly with it, I cant see the moons of Jupiter.</p>

<p>Should I buy 3x Barlow to see the bigger image? is low magnification is my problem? 
Or there is another solution to this problem.?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-12T14:37:26.380Z
When asking questions, you should consider using a spell checker and taking care with English grammar. Making your question easy to understand will increase the likelihood of it being answered.
James K
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-12T15:37:27.460Z
10X is a little low to easily see the phase of Venus. The 28X you'll get with your 18mm objective should reveal it.
Wayfaring Stranger
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-12T15:43:04.560Z
There is no doubt you didn't align your boresight to Jupiter. Try finding the planet at low magnification and then swapping in a higher-mag eyepiece.
Carl Witthoft
<observational-astronomy>
planets are point like
asif
# planets are point like

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-12)

Need Help. I have a problem with my 50 mm objective with 500mm focal length refractor telescope. I can see moon clearly. I have 18 mm and 9 mm eyepieces.

I see Jupiter and Venus as a bright point when focused at 30x or 60x and I see white disk when out of focus. While I have successfully resolved double stars with it and I saw Pleiades star cluster clearly with it, I cant see the moons of Jupiter.

Should I buy 3x Barlow to see the bigger image? is low magnification is my problem?
Or there is another solution to this problem.?

**Tags:** observational-astronomy

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: When asking questions, you should consider using a spell checker and taking care with English grammar. Making your question easy to understand will increase the likelihood of it being answered.  
> **username_2**: 10X is a little low to easily see the phase of Venus. The 28X you'll get with your 18mm objective should reveal it.  
> **username_3**: There is no doubt you didn't align your boresight to Jupiter. Try finding the planet at low magnification and then swapping in a higher-mag eyepiece.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-03-12. Score: 3

You should definitely be able to see the 4 main moons of Jupiter. You won’t need additional magnification - they can be seen through 10 x binoculars. It’s possible that when you looked the moons were close to or behind Jupiter, so worth trying again. Or it may be that James is right and you were looking at a star.
As for the bands on Jupiter, these are quite subtle but at 60x magnification, 2 dark bands should be visible. Don’t expect to see the Great Red Spot, at least initially.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2018-03-12. Score: 0

Take a look at <http://www.deepskywatch.com/Articles/what-can-i-see-through-telescope.html>

Note the example picture of Jupiter, shown to simulate its size (on a typical computer screen) when viewed at a magnification of 180x. If you use 60x magnification, your view will be a third of the size.

Planetary discs are really small!

However, you should see something that isn't point-like with some banding. And you certainly should be able to see the moons (which do look like a line of stars) and are visible even in a small pair of binoculars.

The fix could depend on what is wrong, which could be any of a range of problems, from "silly mistakes" (such as pointing the telescope a bright star instead of a planet) or lens that aren't what they claim to be. Atmospheric problems (like trying to view through a window), or technical problems (if a telescope isn't properly collimated). Your best bet might be to find local experts, a local astronomy club or similar.


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