What colour filter?

[gazza63]

Hi all

In skies not so dark, what colour filter is best used, for the advantage the viewing dso's. Would a moon filter help?

Gary

[ronin]

Doubt if any would really help.

A filter removes wavelengths/colours so what comes through the eyepiece is simply less then entered the objective, and a colour filter is not really selective enough to cause a better contrast. A moon filter removes all wavelengths so all you would have is an equally dimmer DSO and sky - no advantage and a dimmer everything.

Read a post on CN that was fairly "blunt" that came out saying about the only really useful filter was an O III filter, and just get a cheapy one as the more expensive ones may have performed better but not significantly so.

Best idea is patience and wait for darker nights.

[acey]

As said previously, DSO viewing in the short nights and light skies of summer is not very rewarding, and for most DSOs no filter is of any help. The exception is emission nebulae which can be enhanced by an OIII or UHC filter, but it's still an uphill struggle. Best thing is to observe near the zenith (the darkest part of the sky) around 1a.m. (the darkest time of night). Shield your eye from surrounding light (e.g. using a hood over your head and the eyepiece) so that your eye can adapt as much as possible. Get away from man-made light pollution if possible, and don't attempt DSOs if the moon is up.

[faulksy]

As said previously, DSO viewing in the short nights and light skies of summer is not very rewarding, and for most DSOs no filter is of any help. The exception is emission nebulae which can be enhanced by an OIII or UHC filter, but it's still an uphill struggle. Best thing is to observe near the zenith (the darkest part of the sky) around 1a.m. (the darkest time of night). Shield your eye from surrounding light (e.g. using a hood over your head and the eyepiece) so that your eye can adapt as much as possible. Get away from man-made light pollution if possible, and don't attempt DSOs if the moon is up.

as said good advise, I find from a proper dark site you don't need a filter such as the uhc, but the 0iii is needed, but only for a few objects. but if you view in a lp zone you might benefit from a uhc also just noticed you have a 6" scope, the oiii might dim the views to much as well

[ollypenrice]

I live at a very dark site and do sometimes use a filter (O111 in my case but I've tried UHC as well.) On something like the Veil nebula, or the Rosette, the result is spectacular. It transforms the subtle into the downright bright. But for many objects I prefer the natural view.

Colour filters are used by planetary specialists but I'm not one of those so can't comment.

Olly

[LukeSkywatcher]

I agree with Olly. An Oiii or UHC filter will really bring some objects (nebulae) to life. The darker your skies are, the better. If light pollution is your problem rather then bright summer nights then a light pollution filter may be of use to you. It wont help if your problem is bright summer nights.

The UHC filter will get more use then the Oiii filter.