Moon filter !

[leemanley]

Having had such a dirty wet cloudy day i was surprised to be able to use my new moon filter for a good 15 mins tonight !

Does definately make a difference to viewing.

Am awating a new set of Celestron eyepieces and filtrers from Amazon, should advance my viewing experiences, cloud permitting !

[Bender]

Oh it does, especially when the moon gets bigger it can be blindingly bright without one .

Was thinking of plucking mine in as well yesterday but then I choose the binoviewer for the moon which effectively halves the light throughput per eye.

But even then it would have been a better contrast with one.

[rwilkey]

I think a Moon filter is essential for comfortable viewing, an ND96 (0.09) is just right in my 200P, should be OK on the 127eq, with the Celestron set I found their Moon filter had a slight colour bias (green) which I didn't like.

[leemanley]

Your right ! definately noticed a hue to the filter, nonetheless it aided viewing. Have lots to learn with my new filters and ep's so experimentation is the way for me I guess !

[Stargazing_Cliff]

I noticed that nearly burnt me eyes that bright.

may have to make or get proper filter sometime.

[rwilkey]

The variable polarising Moon filter is a good option, if you have ever come across it: First Light Optics - Variable Polarizing Moon Filter I have the 2" and 1.25" versions (mis-spent youth!). Great quality from FLO, in great storage cases.

[Uranus]

Can one mix the 2" in the diagional and 1.25" in the eyepiece and still have the same effect with the variable polarisers?

[rwilkey]

Yes, you can stick the 2" filter in the diagonal and then use 2 or 1.25" ep's, another technique I probably learnt about on this forum is that you can separate the two plarizing filters (the 2" come as two separate components) and stick one in the diagonal and one on the ep, with this you can then turn the ep (a 2" one in this case) and vary the polarization to your taste (range is 1-40% light transmission). Just a thought!

[Uranus]

Pitty they don't make a 2" and 1.25" pair, too expensive to buy both sizes for the convenience.

[coffee_prince]

i have a variable filter and don't use it to be honest :s

[celestron8g8]

I've had my moon filter for alot of yrs now and it is a very good investment . It's the older version which is a ND9 13% but the new one is different and is 18% . Can't say if it's any better or not . What Celestron EPs' did you get ?

[Charon]

I bought my 'Moon filter' off Fleabay and it is rubbish, mind you it only cost me £5. Will have to invest in a decent one.

[rwilkey]

Astronimica does decent ND96 (0.09) moon filters, around a tenner with postage. On ebay: 1.25" Telescope eyepiece Moon Filter: 0.9 density | eBay

[leemanley]

The filter was part of the Celestron set of ep's and filters 6 coloured filters, a 6, 9, 13, 17, 32mm, 2xBarlow. Could relly tell you how good they are because I have'nt ahd enough time to use them seriously. Initial results are good though.

[rwilkey]

The Celestron set is good, it gives you that flexibility to keep drilling down til you get the optimum magnification for the object being viewed. In all honesty I prefer the lower magnifications because they are easier on the eye, and I love the 32mm, one of the best plossls i have ever used, tak sharp and great for DSO's.