First ever DSO M57

[kris7125]

Just seen this for the first time, don't have perfect dark skies and have to look off centre to see it but its amazing!!

[Stu]

Nice one. Good isn't it :-)

Could try for M27 and M56 while you are there, and the Coathanger is always fun.

Stu

[Double Kick Drum]

Congratulations. M57, the Ring nebula is a great object. If you want to try a couple more M5 (Serpens) and M13 (Hercules) are two bright globular clusters worth trying to find.

[kris7125]

Cheers guys will try again tomorrow, can you recommend a good EP for DSO I was using a skywatcher nirvana 16mm just

[Stu]

What scope do you have Kris?

[kris7125]

What scope do you have Kris?

I have a skywatcher 200p dob

[Stu]

DSO's vary quite a lot so there is no one eyepiece which is best for all of them. I believe the 16mm gives x75 in your scope (assuming focal length of 1200mm). M57 is actually pretty small and does take magnification well so it's worth trying higher x100 to x150 should be ok.

Globulars clusters also take mid to high magnification well, particularly M13 for example, but open clusters and nebulae such as M45 or M42 for example need low magnification and wide fields to fit them in the field of view. M31, the Andromeda Galaxy is another large object, over 3 degrees across at its widest and needs a widefield and dark skies to see its full extent.

Stu

[kris7125]

Cheers stu I was thinking of getting a decent 9mm for now so I will go with that I think or maybe a 7 I will have a look on FLO now, cheers

Kris

[Stu]

Both of those would be useful, 7mm would be a good moderately high power for planets as well.

What do you have for low power?

Stu

[kris7125]

Just the standard 25mm that it came with at the minute as I only got it 3 days ago

[Spoon]

for an EP, i can highly recommend the Celestron Omni 15mm Plossl Eyepiece, it will provide clarity and magnification great little piece of kit!

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-eyepieces/celestron-omni-plossl-eyepiece.html