Sprint

ahh ok so with a 70deg eyepiece as a constant an F6 scope will show the same area as an F10 but the latter will remain sharper to the edge of the area??

Hi, Thankyou, so if I have it the correct way around, to achieve a similar viewing area to that very nice sketch but with more magnification the scope would also need a faster focal ratio? Do you know the math?

Hi John, thanks for that, I'm trying to acertain visually what aperture focal ratio and mag will get me using M81/82 as a benchmark? For example at what focal ratio and mag would M81/82 combined both fill the view? I understand it that for the most part more aperture equals more light and thus contrast?

Hi yes view finder / finder scope. Please dont take my inexperience as ignorance, im slowly forming a picture! If anyone needs any knowledge regarding motorsport engineering, chassis setup, vehicle electrics im a font of knowledge! 😆 So much fun learning something COMPLETELY new!

For example would it be possible to use a Skywatcher Apo 72 ED DS Pro for observation with the addition of viewfinder etc or just impractical?

By faster do you mean higher or lower F: ? apologies I did mean 200x not 200mm/8" 8" does seem to be the magic aperture size but hurty on the wallet for sure and large / bulky, definitely tricky to find the balance of all criteria, have not completely ruled out refractors yet, apochromatics seem to get nice images but unsure on magnification required to see M81 82 at a nice size and clarity, i dont want to just ID a dot id love to see their luminescent centre and the swirl.

@miguel87 yes that is what i want to see 🤣 whilst driving along 😁 @carastro yes that was my findings - would need a vastly expensive refractor to reach out deeply. with regard to AP ultimately yes - my partner is into photography and i would love to have some personally captured images and memories at home, however starting out i am happy to miss the photography side to concentrate on learning the scope and skies without the 3rd complication of photography, i would rather purchase an additional specific scope at a later date for that foray. Am i right in saying that something over 200x and F5-6 is needed for my intended viewing?? This is the point i start contradicting my findings.

Hi Carole, definitely, i was close to pulling the trigger a few times with excitement!

Thanks, Cali and Wales... UK!?

I/we are keen to learn the skies so going for manual, use some books and apps to 'get our eye in' starting out, a decent tripod / mount is a must i think from a manually tracking POV. Another big factor reading around is user height vs scope type / viewfinder straight or 90deg. I suppose a refractor would be easiest with drum stool - im 6' 4" and my missus is 5' 6" so changing seat height would be easier than scope height right? I do see that a refractor would be easier to keep clean / no foreigns can get inside of it like a Dob / Newt? It would seem i was optimistic on the nebulae, obviously the images i have seen are from extremely high power massive scopes - fail 😆🙈

Wow you live in nice areas for nature, went to Scotland for thew first time last year, cant wait to return!

Hello! The past few weeks have been a steep and slippery slope for me, after exhaustive reading and reviews i have gone full swing from merely thinking of high end binoculars with a monopod for stargazing to the realisation i need a scope in my life. I have always been interested in stars and nebulae not just from a visual point but also navigational, travelling by car/4x4, orienteering, lots of camping etc and am at a point in my life where i can learn some of this vastness. Anyway enough guff, i have as im sure many have been, going around in circles and i would really appreciate some clarity and advice 👍 I see M81 / M82 as my benchmark, and i think / hope this is not out of reach, am i right in saying; a refractor is capable of seeing these but at great expense, best cooldown & travelling (collimation) a reflector dob/newt is the cheapest way of seeing these, medium cooldown but large and worst travelling a cassegrain is the most compact, medium cost, longest cooldown time, good travelling Hopefully that is correct from the start lol! I really want to be able to see good detail and contrast, and colour definitely on nebulae, but want it to be able to travel with us on our adventures to see the skies from new vantages. My 4x4 is LWB Patrol so not like im trying to squeeze it in an Aigo 😉 Excited!

Well if Spock approves cant be bad!

Hello all! Hope you are all well, im sure there have been many new astronomers join various forums over the last few weeks what with the whole pandemic, this is a great isolated activity! Not my reasoning for getting into this at all mind, more that the last few weeks have actually allowed myself to think about what i appreciate in life rather than having me head down grafting! I hasten to add i am still working full time but on a shift basis meaning day on/day off so this has given me time to think and reflect - much appreciated. I will be living upto my new user ranking of 'vacuum' by ingesting much advice hopefully! 😆 Best Dave