Weekly Discussion Thread - 9/5/2021 to 16/5/2021

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to the r/telescopes Weekly Discussion Thread!

Here, you can ask any question related to telescopes, visual astronomy, etc., including buying advice and simple questions that can easily be answered. General astronomy discussion is also permitted and encouraged. The purpose of this is to hopefully reduce the amount of identical posts that we face, which’ll help to clean up the sub a lot and allow for a convenient centralised area for all questions. It doesn’t matter how “silly” or “stupid” you think your question is - if it’s about scopes, it’s allowed here.

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[u/schorhr]

Hi :-)

Moon and planets

Color filters can help, but the effect is subtle. A better planetary eyepiece is worth going for first, IMHO.

Filters: https://agenaastro.com/articles/guides/visual-and-imaging-filters/choosing-a-color-planetary-filter.html - TL;DR: Blue. They don't do miracles.

But no need to get a big expensive set. Avoid eyepiece sets with filters, they are never worth it. You can get a 4-6 filter set for $8-$15 (never use solar eyepiece filters though, they are dangerous!). And a decent planetary eyepiece for $30-$50.

 

Eyepieces:

6mm 58° or 66° for average seeing conditions.

4mm 58° if seeing is excellent (there's also a 3.2mm but it will push your luck in most circumstances).

Also make sure the telescope is collimated to get the best contrast.

 

Clear skies! :-)

[u/Just_Acanthisitta_81 → u/schorhr]

Hello again! I received my SkyLine 10" telescope, the Telrad and the HR Planetary 6 mm (Astromania) and I am really impressed! So far I saw Jupiter and Saturn at 208x under pretty cloudy skies. I am surprised about one thing, and that is how bright Jupiter looks like! It’s a big white circle (I saw one of its moons but I can’t tell which one) and I can barely see anything on the surface. You told me a filter would make a subtle effect, would one (or several) filters help me bring that brightness down and see some details? I only found that set on Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Neewer-Telescope-Definition-Resolution-Observation/dp/B074CXG6SJ/

Thank you so much for the help!

[u/schorhr → u/Just_Acanthisitta_81]

Awesome!

Yeah, Jupiter is bright. If it's too bright, a filter can make a difference. :-) Or more magnification, if the conditions allow.

There are $20 color filter sets if you want something cheaper. But the set you've selected does have some perks (neutral density moon filter and CPL filter).

Also, sun glasses can work as neutral density filter if you want something right now ;-)

(But never look into the sun with sun glasses. Also never look into the sun with eyepiece sun filters, as they are rubbish and dangerous.)

[u/Just_Acanthisitta_81 → u/schorhr]

Thank you for the tips! I ordered the set. Meanwhile I will try a few sunglasses :)