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Telescope targets


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Hi

So after much advice on here I've added to my skywatcher explorer 130 a Rigel quick finder, skywatcher 9*50 raci and a 15mm bst eyepiece.

Next weekend I'm heading up to castle Howard for a long weekend and hoping for a few good clear sky nights, usually get very good skies there. .

So with all my new gear what should I aim the scope at?

I wanna try for m31, but what else is gonna be good with this setup? And any other tips also welcome

Cheers

Craig

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 there will be a lot of objects to view .but for the more brighter obvious targets ,then the great nebula in orion is always worth seeking out. very easy to find too.

 have you a copy of "turn left at orion" ?   if not ,id put it on your list. its a great aid ,particularly for people starting out in this hobby.

 also remember the moon palys a part in what youll be able to see. 

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Sky Safari on my ipad has a "best of" feature of what's in the sly. Just change the date to when you are going and have a look what's highlighted. It also has Messier/deep space/Caldwell etc lists that you can do the same with. I haven't used Stellarium for a long while but I think that had similar.

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The Double Cluster in Perseus, the Alpha Persei Cluster, the Double Double in Lyra, Albireo, Almach, Mizar and Polaris to name but a few.

Avtar

Thanks for the suggestions. .

The only one I'm struggling to find reference to is alpha persei cluster, is this m34? The open cluster in Perseus?

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Sky Safari on my ipad has a "best of" feature of what's in the sly. Just change the date to when you are going and have a look what's highlighted. It also has Messier/deep space/Caldwell etc lists that you can do the same with. I haven't used Stellarium for a long while but I think that had similar.

Thanks, I don't have sky safari and cant find a similar feature in stellarium. . but got a nice list of targets now following all of the advice and tips.
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Thanks for the suggestions. .

The only one I'm struggling to find reference to is alpha persei cluster, is this m34? The open cluster in Perseus?

Target the star Mirphak (Alpha) in Perseus and you will see the cluster around it.

post-30866-0-83080700-1413731556.jpg

Avtar

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Hi Craig, I have a similar set up to you,and I can definately recommend M42, 'The Orion  Nebula', to you .It is simply a breathtaking object to observe,at any magnification. I like to start with my 32mm to get the bigger picture and take it from there. M42 repays slow,careful observation-allow you eye to tease out the detail.It's true to say that the more you look at it,the more you see! At higher magnifications the' trapezium' really starts to unfold it's secrets.   Clear skies!

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I think I caught a brief look of m42 in the binoculars last year so yeah hoping for some good viewing with the scope

The largest ep I have is the stock 25mm, was considering a 32mm piece but not sure of the value? Which one do you have and does it get much use?

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I use a basic Celestron plossl,which came as part of a set I bought from a fellow SGL member when he advertised it here. I had already read a review of this set on Astrobaby's site,and she seemed to rate it as being a fairly good EP for the money.I must admit that it is probably my favourite of the EPs that I currently own,though it must fall far short of more expensive kit!  Incidentally,I don't think that I would have bought an EP/Filter set 'new'-  in hindsight, buying EPs individually to suit would seem to be a better investment of cash!

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That stock 25 might be the highest you want to go. Just as there is a highest magnification for a give scope there is lowest too. With the 25 and a 10mm and a 2x barlow you will get some good views of just about anything within the reach of that scope.

With my 130SLT I had a 25mm, 9mm, and a cheaper 2x barlow. Best views of Jupiter I ever had I used the 9 and the barlow. 

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That stock 25 might be the highest you want to go. Just as there is a highest magnification for a give scope there is lowest too. With the 25 and a 10mm and a 2x barlow you will get some good views of just about anything within the reach of that scope.

With my 130SLT I had a 25mm, 9mm, and a cheaper 2x barlow. Best views of Jupiter I ever had I used the 9 and the barlow.

I understand highest to be double the aperture, but what's the lowest?
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I understand highest to be double the aperture, but what's the lowest?

The lowest usable magnification depends on the size of your pupil and occurs when the exit pupil of the eye pieces matches the eye. Usually a optimistic 7 mm is assumed but it varies from person to person, decreases with age and of course also with how dark adapted you are. The lowest magnification is equal to telescope aperture divided by eye pupil (e.g. 200 mm/7 mm = ~ 29x.

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