Messier Hunting

[kerrylewis]

I've now seen 61 Messier objects since I started logging them in April. Planets have always been my first love but since I got the SCT I've been drawn to the DSOs. Whatever next- a dob? Or even imaging?

[ronin]

A dobsonian is really no bigger then the SCT so unless you went for 14" no significant step up in aperture. So really why consider a change. The 100ED seems to be a reasonable grab and go option when you don't want to set up the SCT.

Imaging, well there lies the path to insanity, and a depleted bank account.

[kerrylewis]

My comment was a bit tongue in cheek, but I agree. I bought the SCT as a step up from the 100ED and as an all-rounder and it's been just that. A dob would have to be quite big as you say to be a step up.

I am thinking of trying imaging but with my existing DSLR not with any new kit. I have an adaptor for the scopes and also a couple of longish lenses. But if I take to it, then the bank account will suffer!

Kerry

[acey]

To see a really appreciable difference you want to increase aperture by 50% (giving an extra 0.9 magnitude), which for a 9.25 SCT would indeed mean going to about 14". For Messiers a 100mm scope is perfectly sufficient - if you're going to upgrade anything then think about finding a darker sky and take the small scope there.

Good luck with the Messier hunt!

[cotterless45]

That's the very crux of the matter. Both seeing and dark skies will open up so many targets without regard to massive aperture.

If you want a look at the big boys then this will do !

http://www.faintfuzzies.com/

Not sure that I'm up for the long ladder though !

Nick.

[YKSE]

C8 was my upgrade for Messier hunting , Last night was quite successful, after good alignment (under 10' both in RA and DEC), I got M2 and M15 (just over my neightbor's roof), M110 in averted vision due to street light. Revisited double cluster and M103, and got NGC559, 654, 659, 663 and 896(with UHC filter),

[kerrylewis]

I'm going to look for dark skies one of these nights. According to the dark sky maps on the Internet an area to the east of where I live looks promising - no towns and just a smattering of small villages.