Site that compares dim fuzzies and planets among a variety of telescope types?

[FishInPercolator]

Hello again - I'm curious to know if such a site exists that might be elusive to Google. I think this will help my decision on a telescope purchase within the next week or so. I suppose unstacked images are better for a real time viewing assessment.

Thanks!

[ian_j_kirk]

you mean something like this?

http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/field-view-calculator

ian

[FishInPercolator]

This is a simulation I take it... but still very helpful. I would love to still see actual images taken however as I'm trying to decide between an 8" EdgeHD (compound) vs. a 5" refractor of sorts.

[moogoomonkey]

Hmm this sounds like fun challenge to make this summer... I'd need people to send me photos though. Hit me up later this year and I'll see if I cant get this made

[RikM]

The best way to get an idea what can be seen visually is to take a look through the sketching forum. If you search for sketches drawn by people using the two scopes you mention, you should get a more realistic impression of what you can see.

[RikM]

Hmmm...just ran a couple of searches and didn't find too much. Are you thinking about visual observing or imaging ?

[FishInPercolator]

Both would be nice but obviously imaging would imply stacked images and I don't think an opinion on observational capability should be based on that.

[RikM]

Both would be nice but obviously imaging would imply stacked images and I don't think an opinion on observational capability should be based on that.

Yes, that's what I wanted to clarify, that you were looking for a impression of the view through the scopes when using an eyepiece. Sketches are the closest you will get to the eyepiece view.

[John]

What you see will be determined by all sorts of factors which are rather variable and many are external to the scope being used. Local seeing conditions, light pollution, transparency and, to some extent, observer experience, will directly affect what you can and cant see and will change, nightly and sometimes hourly.

Take an object like the galaxy M51. If the above factors all come together in a very positive way, a 10" aperture scope can show it's spiral structure to a seasoned observer. With even just some of the above factors in play, you may not be able to see any more than the faintest trace of the object with the same scope.

For the above reasons, even sketches should be taken as being an indication of what could potentially be seen rather than any definite prediction of what will actually be seen.