True images

[Gottzi]

We ar all amazed by the fantastic pictures that we see of the wide range of DSO's, in full colour showing every detail. And we know that these are images taken using hours of data, but is there somewhere where I can get images of what is actually seen through a small tescope? Sometimes I know I'm in the right area but not entirely sure what I should expect to see. A description is one thing but an actual image will confirm.

David

[Mike73]

I think your best bet is to look at peoples sketches although sketches vary depending on aperture, sky darkness, accuracy and the individuals eyesight! They are still good to give you a rough idea of what objects look like though.

Some very good sketches here -

http://www.perezmedia.net/beltofvenus/archives/000433.html

http://www.deepskywatch.com

[Shibby]

...or of course the sketching forum here on SGL http://stargazerslounge.com/forum/21-imaging-sketches-and-unconventional/

[John]

As said above - sketches and drawings are representations of what someone has actually seen through as scope with their eye. Images taken with a CCD will rarely look like what we can actually see.

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

I've found deepskywatch to be pretty spot on. They observe from very dark skies so some might be a little optimistic, but not very far off at all.