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Expectations vs reality.


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Frankly, what with the plethora of fantastic astro images in the media, and the hype from telescope manufacturers, I am not surprised that a lot of beginners have hugely exaggerated expectations, and are profoundly underwhelmed when they first look through a telescope. Like most things worth doing, observational astronomy is difficult.  Also, in order to appreciate what we are looking at, we need a real interest in the subject and a true understanding of the limitations of the equipment and our eyes. I still get a thrill when I look at M31 and see a faint fuzzy patch (nothing like as impressive as the ubiquitous images of the galaxy) because I understand just how far away it is, and just how faint it is.

Observational astronomy is appreciated as much if not more as a cerebral activity than it is as a sensory one. 

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I had a 200p reflector much the same as the Dob but on a EQ mount, I flocked it to aid contrast and stop reflections of light.   From my very light polluted skies I got M1 (Crab Nebula) this is hard from light polluted skies Bortle 8/9. but I was well dark adapted. M81 and M82 were easy as was M31, M57 Ring Nebula and M27 Dumbbell Nebula. Clusters M13 and M92 another cluster in Hercules which doesn't get  enough attention because of its big brother.   Double cluster NGC 869 & NGC 884 and one of my favourites The Owl or ET cluster NGC 457 once you see this you will know why its called this.

When I went to Buxton maybe bortle 4/5 I picked up some amazing thigs Blue snowball NGC7662 the Whale and Hockey stick galaxies NGC 4631 and NGC 4656.

Just take your time as said get used to the best magnifications for objects most will be grey smudges but some you do get colour especially double and multiple stars,   make sure the scope is cooled and your dark adapted these things will pop out at you and you will be eager for the next session.

Good luck

Paul

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A lot of very useful and good info given here to the OP. 

Top of the list for me is when your looking at fuzzy blobs, the darker the sky the more detail you will get. <This statement cannot be overstated, for planets/lunar, it does not matter, for dim DSO it is an absolute must. 

The image of M51 galaxy below is a good representation of what you might see under good, dark skies

M51.jpg.7a289d5f35c50a45d552bfab91f4f68c.jpg

For Nebula  you would really benefit from the use of a filter to bring out additional detail. A narrowband UHC filter is a bit of a jack of all trades and is a great all rounder for all nebula although specialised ones are needed for some dimmer nebula type. (EG Horsehead)

The link to the guide below explains things in a little more detail for you.

Guide to Light Pollution Filters (agenaastro.com)

As for eyepiece, really is a broad brush topic and something you will have to find out by Q&A on forums such as this and trial and error. Took me a few years to settle on where my glass collection currently is, and a lot of cash too. However what I have found  and many others will agree with is the difference between middle of the range eyepiece such as some of the explore scientific range and top notch glass from the likes of tele vue is very small. Most people buy top notch because they can and can't help it, it's something of an affliction 😂.

Hope this helps.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 10/07/2022 at 05:37, ollypenrice said:

Not all of Europe!  Here in South East France, just outside a tiny village, I sometimes get zenith SQM readings of 22.  The Zodiacal light is easy and, when my eyes were younger, I could see the Gegenshein. Guests who also go to Namibia say there is no difference between the skies at the zenith, though the desert skies are darker towards the horizon.

Olly

Now this is a place I need to visit! Just discovered it and it is already top of my list for the next time I want to go to the continent and escape Blighty. Bookmarked.

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