jetstream

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/276822-lbn-208/?tab=comments#comment-3031372 My 10" also shows this, giver a try Neil.

Great report Neil! Ok, what filters are you currently using? the new Televue OIII by Astronomik? ans also the Nebustar II? While near Sadr IC 1318 is a great and huge object and for a challenge go for the LBN near the Crescent. Very good observing Neil.

Yes truly understanding collimation is a pursuit IMHO. However we don't need to have a high level of understanding to collimate a newt. Khadder is one of the most knowledgeable people with regard to collimation. His excellent image shows the effect of speed on how the collimated image looks- but it doesn't matter-just use a sight tube (cheshire/sight tube combo) and it automatically sets itself. The OP's f5.9 will look more like the left picture than the right. Btw- there are 2 offsets...- sometimes. My 15" f4.8 is not offset (on stalk) but my 24" f4.1 is- doesn't matter as long as the sec is big enough, to me anyway.

Just look through the empty focuser, straight on and make the secondary look round. The gap between the focuser and round secondary should be the same. Contrary to some opinions f5.9 is not fast and is an accommodating f ratio. This will get you in the game. Get a cheap cheshire and all will be simple IMHO.

My thoughts too, the new Televue Nebustar II is superb as is their OIII- you need one of these too lol!

This is a non issue and the difference in views using the 6" dob or better yet 8" dob will be well worth it. Collimation is very easy and fast in these scopes.

Excellent report Stephan! I must now take a look at this area as in the past a quick look at the Ghost was all I did pretty much. Your report has my motivation levels going up and so has the clear skies coming here. I think I'll put the lawn chair away (MW obs) and get a scope out!

6" Skywatcher or the 8"- both will be VG.

I'm at this stage when I wheel out the 350lb 24" dob lol! but then there are the views....

My experience with binoviewers on nebula shows up the beam splitter's effect that reduces brightness in the eyepiece ie the false exit pupil idea. On lunar /planetary this is not a concern and can be a benefit IMHO. Based on this I believe that the 100mm binoculars will outperform the 300mm/binoviewer set up, of course I could be wrong and probably am wrong lol! True binocular summation, with no prisms involved (binoscopes) gives much to the observer only hindered by the fact the binoculars are Achromats? this could be an issue but most likely not, depends.

The power of binocular summation at work! There really is something to this and youve tapped the resource, excellent observing Robert

I mentioned this to encourage an easy to spot nebula with no filter but there are piles of them visible.

How about this- Put Alnitak on the edge of the field and view the Flame nebula no filter- this is a good test of everything. One more: go up and over from there and easily view M78- scan from there looking for the edge of Barnards Loop- your 100ED will show it for sure under dark skies, you need a 40mm or lower fl EP IMHO.

Great choice and this eyepiece goes a long way to help with faint objects. If you have a Q barlow or VIP or any other good barlow that you can get 1.5x give it another try under the same skies. Seeing the Veil unfiltered is a very very good test of skies IMHO. I do think you had flicks of the Quintet coming at you Dom- a great achievement in any scope but a superb one in a 100mm. Your 100mm ED is a great scope and will be good on DSO. My 90mm APO triplet is very sharp but falls short on DSO IMHO- I think SW ED scopes are top notch. Congrats to you and Kudos Dom!

My 8" f3.8 shows them easily, but with a small refractor super dark skies and top notch transparency are an absolute must. Another must is knowing your scope and also maximizing transmission- ie using proven orthos at high mag. Another thing- my SW120ED loses transmission ( or CA issues) with a prism diag but the TSA120 does not. The 120ED needs a mirror diag for faint DSO IMHO and does very well showing Barnards Loop with no filter with a 42mm LVW. I see you used up to 90x- try more with an ortho, say a 7mm Fuji.

@Stu I think we both tried the saliva trick? It can work but if the coatings are etched no cleaning will help.

You are referencing primary collimation? if so trust the cheshire unless you have a barlowed laser. You can use the laser instead of the cross hairs for secondary if the laser is very accurate. For reference: I have a Glatter Laser and TuBlug (barlowed laser device) and find the cheshire is always accurate while the TuBlug can be off a tiny bit at times, depending on me.

Unless experienced the only nebula viewable without a filter is M42- did she try this one? Is the Milky Way visible and defined?

I see some of the Quintet in my 120mm scopes, sorry I have no 100mm. This is from dark skies. Can I ask what mag your using?

"Stubborn Spots On this lens, the basic procedure, with the gentlest intervention, cleaned the lens perfectly. If you have remaining spots one method you can use (recommended by Roland) is to rub the spot gently with a dab of saliva on a clean fingertip. This may sound dubious, but the enzymes in saliva help to break down organic residues and your skin is a very soft cleanser (if it’s clean). You should then leave it a minute or two for the enzymes to act before cleaning and buffing." http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/HowToCleanLens.htm

Did you try spit gently rubbed on the lens spots?

You know we have a very good copy of the NPB, very tight and works great.The H130 shows the North American neb (very easy) Flaming Star, Monkey head, Rosette, Swan etc etc with it. I also have an excellent older Lumicon UHC and the new Televue UHC or Nebustar I think its called. Heres my impression: our NPB has excellent bandwidth but might be down on transmission compared to the 2 others- it is an excellent filter however. The old Lumicon feels tighter than the new Televue Nebustar but the Televue shows more? I have compared the filters using a filterslide in my 15" dob over many many nights. If you can get a good copy of the NPB for the money they are hard to beat, red stars and all.And yes totally agree the TV OIII is on the top of the heap.

No, the OIII would be the prefered filter for you, the list is very very long for what it will enhance. The UHC works well from very dark skies however if you want to see the Veil in all its glory for instance from variable sky darkness get the OIII. Theres OIIIs then theres OIIIS - only 2 I would get is the new Astronomik or better yet the Televue, made by them.

Me too- did I copy you again John?😁 From what I've seen the SW120ED scopes need help with in focus, which the Moonlight provides and also a very stable focuser platform.

Thanks Chris, yes we have a lot of fun exploring with the microscope and telescope among other things. We rock hunt and climb, watch nature quite a bit- the eldest now has an interest in geology and the middle one loves animals. Btw last night I was letting our puppy have some time outside before bed and I saw the Milky Way shine through an outdoor light and a TV- after I put him in I shut it all off and observed an extremely bright Milky Way with what seemed like more structure around Cygnus and the rift- what a sight! I love lawnchair observing lol!