do light pollution filters work

[killer10971]

just looking at these and wondered if the money would be better spent going towards better eyepieces

many thanks

[umadog]

Yes they work but you need to be aware of what their limitations are. They don't help with stars and galaxies. On the other hand, there are some emission nebulae which go from invisible to visible with a filter. The veil and north america nebulae, for example, are vastly aided by a UHC or OIII. Even from very dark skies a filter helps with these objects. Here's a reading list:

Orion SKYGLOW Broad-band Light Pollution Filter - CN Report

Light Pollution and Narrow-Band Filters

CN Report: The DGM Optics NPB Nebula Filter - CN Report

Dave Knisely on Light Pollution Filters

The Prairie Astronomer

[Dave Dubya]

For visual observing, I think spending the money on some quality eyepieces would be more advantageous.

Those filters do decrease sky glow, but they also reduce the brightness of already dim objects. I think the only benefit you often get is some increased contrast in certain nebulae - they don't give the amazing effects that are sometimes suggested.

(Use with photography is perhaps a different matter)

[swamp thing]

- They don't give the amazing effects that are sometimes suggested.

On some objects they do. They can make the difference between seeing an object or not.

Although I would still spend the money on getting to a decent dark site.

[killer10971]

many thanks all great response

i purchased some bst explorer eyepieces and apart from i find them difficult to focus unless the object is dead centre they seem ok

cheers