06/08/2026
Dwarf Planet / Pluto (August 4, 2026)The transparency was great tonight, so I wondered if I could spot Pluto visually with the 45 cm reflector. After imaging it, I centered the object, changed the magnification, and looked through the eyepiece. At 200x, I was able to make it out! At lower magnifications, the background brightness made it hard to see, but 200x was just the right magnification—though it is still quite dim, as expected. At magnitude 14.4, it is visible through a 45 cm telescope, but it would probably be difficult for casual viewers!The images show Pluto taken about 50 minutes apart, clearly demonstrating its movement.
