<p>There are two problems:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Viewing through a window.
As some commenters have pointed out, the turbulent interface between indoor and outdoor spaces can degrade the image.
If possible, you may get better results by setting up your telescope in a grassy field and allowing half an hour for it to equilibrate.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Telescope design.
A true Newtonian telescope's focal length is similar to its tube length, but
the <a href="https://www.celestron.com/products/astromaster-114eq-telescope#specifications" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AstroMaster 114EQ</a> has a focal length 2.5× the tube length.
There is probably a Barlow-like lens at the far end of the eyepiece tube.
Such telescopes are difficult to collimate and may have some spherical aberration even if well collimated.</p>
</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-13T20:51:18.377Z
2023-08-13T20:51:18.377Z
Mike G
<p>Why does Saturn look like this through my Astromaster 114 EQ. Im viewing it from inside with open windows and I'm 100% sure it Saturn.<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/OGvXs.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/OGvXs.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-11T23:57:47.530Z
What does a star look like with the same settings? A star should look like a point if the seeing conditions are good.
JohnHoltz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-12T02:24:49.050Z
You should explain how you're 100% sure it's Saturn.  Viewing out an open window is not considered ideal viewing conditions, but the rings of Saturn would still be easy to make out.  My bet is it's not Saturn, and it's out of focus.
Greg Miller
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-12T02:54:57.493Z
"im 100% sure it saturn." -> Prove it if it is Saturn.
Nilay Ghosh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-12T03:37:28.197Z
I concur with Greg Miller that it’s most likely out of focus and that viewing through an open window is not good (it creates air currents in front of and around the telescope, acting like a bunch of different lenses). I would also say your collimation is way off. First, try and get outside with your telescope, as far as possible from building, concrete, and asphalt. Then, fix your collimation. After that, you should get better-looking results.
Pierre Paquette
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-12T21:11:30.380Z
Agree with @PierrePaquette; if you must observe from inside, you're better off leaving the window closed, for a more stable atmosphere.
pela
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-13T11:22:54.167Z
@pela optically speaking, ordinary window glass has ginormous ripples and random thickness variations; just because the distortions are *static* doesn't mean they won't hopelessly blur the image worse than air fluctuations.
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-13T11:49:14.030Z
@uhoh Yes, good point. I just find it easier to view a distorted, but static, object, rather than one that's jumping around. Neither is optimal, but for me, living in a capital with no car, I can choose between that, going to the backyard with five-floor apartments around, or going to the rooftop which is slightly inclined and slippery 
pela
<saturn>
Saturn looks like a star
Markus 
# Saturn looks like a star

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-08-11)

Why does Saturn look like this through my Astromaster 114 EQ. Im viewing it from inside with open windows and I'm 100% sure it Saturn.[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/OGvXs.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/OGvXs.jpg)

**Tags:** saturn

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What does a star look like with the same settings? A star should look like a point if the seeing conditions are good.  
> **username_2**: You should explain how you're 100% sure it's Saturn.  Viewing out an open window is not considered ideal viewing conditions, but the rings of Saturn would still be easy to make out.  My bet is it's not Saturn, and it's out of focus.  
> **username_3**: "im 100% sure it saturn." -> Prove it if it is Saturn.  
> **username_4**: I concur with username_2 that it’s most likely out of focus and that viewing through an open window is not good (it creates air currents in front of and around the telescope, acting like a bunch of different lenses). I would also say your collimation is way off. First, try and get outside with your telescope, as far as possible from building, concrete, and asphalt. Then, fix your collimation. After that, you should get better-looking results.  
> **username_5**: Agree with @PierrePaquette; if you must observe from inside, you're better off leaving the window closed, for a more stable atmosphere.  
> **username_6**: @username_5 optically speaking, ordinary window glass has ginormous ripples and random thickness variations; just because the distortions are *static* doesn't mean they won't hopelessly blur the image worse than air fluctuations.  
> **username_5**: @username_6 Yes, good point. I just find it easier to view a distorted, but static, object, rather than one that's jumping around. Neither is optimal, but for me, living in a capital with no car, I can choose between that, going to the backyard with five-floor apartments around, or going to the rooftop which is slightly inclined and slippery   

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_7 on 2023-08-13. Score: 1

There are two problems:

1. Viewing through a window.
   As some commenters have pointed out, the turbulent interface between indoor and outdoor spaces can degrade the image.
   If possible, you may get better results by setting up your telescope in a grassy field and allowing half an hour for it to equilibrate.
2. Telescope design.
   A true Newtonian telescope's focal length is similar to its tube length, but
   the [AstroMaster 114EQ](https://www.celestron.com/products/astromaster-114eq-telescope#specifications) has a focal length 2.5× the tube length.
   There is probably a Barlow-like lens at the far end of the eyepiece tube.
   Such telescopes are difficult to collimate and may have some spherical aberration even if well collimated.


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