Moon brightness

[Tom33]

I've started finding my way around the sky using my birdwatching binoculars (10 x 50) and swarovski telescope (80 dia and 25-55 zoom) and have found it to be ok. Have found Jupiter and 4 moons and after consulting the free Sky at Night software, found Uranus last night. If I oberserve the moon its so bright through the scope its blinding! Is there a cheap practical way of cutting down this glare or shall I just stick to bins until I feel ready to buy a scope with a moon filter?

[noakesy]

you can get moon filters to help contact your local astro shop

[RobH]

Try a pair of decent sunglasses....seriously.

Rob

[coffee_prince]

you can block the amount of light coming in through with anything you want like a piece of cloth stuck on etc... My 8 inch Dob lid came with a little 70mm hole I can cover and uncover which reduces the light to a good degree.

I also have a variable filter wher eyou can vary the light transmission and then that screw onto the eyepiece, but its a chore to keep doing that so I don't even use it

[Tom33]

Thanks for the advice. I like your idea Rob, I'll give it a go

Tom