That is good to hear. So I should look at the price level of the mounts to see where the LX200 is and what is above & below it.sdbodin wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 2:09 amI have the biggest Meade and theVern wrote: ↑Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:33 am
If other meade telescopes use the same level of software as I have regardless of the size of the telescope then I assume they could also have this glitch.
Are the motors & gears in the mounts for larger telescopes made of better quality materials or to closer tolerances so they are more accurate?goto accuracy is first rate. Always on target in my camerafov the first time. However, planets are a different story and it has to do with the ephemeris loaded into the scope's computer, not enough bits to be accurate after a few years, so the finder is needed.
Steve
Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
For your info, I have used Meade LX90 8" scopes off and on for many years, and I have never had a problem with their go-to capability once they are star aligned. The LX200 are a significant step up from the LX90 (in price too!), and are very accurate in my experience. I own a Celestron CPC800 which I use for outreach activities, and again I have had no issues with go-to capability. The joy of the Celestron for me is that they don't make that loud Meade go-to noise that you hear on every club observing field!
In terms of your original query, I think you will find that all of the
Don't expect to see easy spiral arms, even in M51, with a 5" scope. In fact even with an 8" scope you will need to use averted vision to see extra details.
I often use a 4" refractor when I am under a dark sky (I get to a
If you are having trouble with the go-to, or you think it isn't pointing where you want it, I find it is best to go-to a bright star nearby, centre it, and re-train the scope. Then at least you can be confident that the object is in the
Good luck, and all the best,
Dean
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
Note too that you have a pretty narrow
The best possible true
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Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
I haven't read all of the replies, so sorry if I am repeating any of them in any way. I aimed to see all of theVern wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 10:48 pm As my subject says, what aperture telescope would I need to see DSOs as more than smudges? I have a meade star navigator NG 125mak and the diameter is 127mm. I bought it last year and can see star clusters and the Andromeda galaxy. I have not been able to see other galaxies. At what aperture would I start to see individual stars in star clusters and would the cluster be brighter? What aperture is needed to see galaxies, say the sombrero or pinwheel galaxy?
Would a larger and more expensive telescope have a more accurate goto? I use a two star alignment on my star navigator and then click on the guided tour/tonights best. I have had go right to a target and can see it in the eye piece, other times (sometimes the same session) it will be close but I can't see the target and need to slew the telescope to find it. When I try to see the sombrero galaxy I don't know if the telescope isn't pointed at it or my telescope isn't big enough.
I am near Fenton Michigan and lightpollutionmap.info shows my location as Bortle 5.
My adaptations certainly helped, with a 32mm Plossl and 0.5x focal reducer giving me an exit pupil of about 5mm. M101 appeared 3 times larger with the LPR than without.
It is true that most
The Leo and Virgo cluster galaxies look like objects to cross off the list before you die but it is a nice challenge to track them all down.
To answer the original question, I would go for a 10" Dobsonian for purely visual use but, the chances are that you will want to photograph them one day.
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
Any telescope that can be taken to darker skies will give lots of plessant moments.
mount; Gemini G41 field
camera: Nikon D810A
eyepieces: Nagler 5, 7, 13mm Vixen LVW 22
All stored in a small obervatory located 2 meters below (current) sea level
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
Like this!turboscrew wrote: ↑Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:35 pm T-shirt goes over the head. The towel goes on the shoulder. :joking:
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Delos, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2461, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 261
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
Both are "noticeably better", but the 12" is more so... Just think in terms of the square of the diameter. A 10" gives 56% brighter images at the same magnification (100/64), while a 12" is 125% brighter (144/64). However, if you take an 8" scope to (say) aVern wrote: ↑Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:57 pm I think 'spending a lot of money' is sort of up to an individual to decide. I was thinking of 8" to 12" not 22" and up. From browsing websites I know that the cost goes up a lot for larger telescopes and accessories. Is the view through a 10" or 12" noticeably better than an 8"? If my budget is X and a larger telescope is X+20% then that would be ok. If a larger telescope is only available with a more costly mount and ends up at 2X then that would be too much.
In terms of cost, as an example: here in Oz a dealer has an 8"
I got over the cost problems by making my own, and my 12" scope in travel mode takes up less space in the car than my 4" refractor.
All the best,
Dean
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
I would mostly use it at my house and a couple times a year to a slightly darker sky at the family farm.
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
So you don't want theVern wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 1:40 am @DeanD That is what is need to compare to the price when I decide to buy another telescope. While the prices on dob's are attractive I would want another catadioptric. I know that they can get pricey.
I would mostly use it at my house and a couple times a year to a slightly darker sky at the family farm.
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
I like the way you think. 8"Vern wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 1:40 am @DeanD That is what is need to compare to the price when I decide to buy another telescope. While the prices on dob's are attractive I would want another catadioptric. I know that they can get pricey.
I would mostly use it at my house and a couple times a year to a slightly darker sky at the family farm.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Delos, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2461, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 261
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
An 8"-12" scope will reduce your "smudges" problem somewhat but won't solve it, so try before you buy. As a rule of thumb, to see significant difference you need to go up 2" at the least, 4" is a better rule. When using scopes with a secondary mirror, subtract 2" relative to a refractor as a result of diffraction effects. The size of the secondary matters (myVern wrote: ↑Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:57 pm I think 'spending a lot of money' is sort of up to an individual to decide. I was thinking of 8" to 12" not 22" and up. From browsing websites I know that the cost goes up a lot for larger telescopes and accessories. Is the view through a 10" or 12" noticeably better than an 8"? If my budget is X and a larger telescope is X+20% then that would be ok. If a larger telescope is only available with a more costly mount and ends up at 2X then that would be too much.
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
Mark E.
Scope: Explorer Scientific 127CF, Askar FR600, Planewave CDK 14""
Guide Scope & Camera: ASI 174, ZWO OAG-L
Camera: QHY 268 Mono, QHY 600 Mono
Mount: Planewave L-350, Skywatcher EQ8-Rh Pro, Losmandy G11
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Software: N.I.N.A., CdC, Planewave 3, Pixinsight
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
I understand that I have a narrow
I will post a picture of my telescope if I can figure it out
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
I can still remember my first view of the Swan/Omega Nebula (M17) through my original Meade ETX 90. The contrast and detail were brilliant. Sure, you couldn't see the outer nebulosity with a 90mmlostone wrote: ↑Thu Jul 01, 2021 5:44 am I think your question would be better phrased "Is a MAK good for DSO" In my personal opinion would be NO, MAK's are slow by nature usually around a F:15. They are great for observing and for Planetary imaging. But as for DSO they stink. You would be better off with a Refractor or an SCT. Both have the reach and the speed needed for DSO imaging. Others may disagree with me about the MAK, but this is my opinion.
Mark E.
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
I once owned an old spur-geared C8
Refractors: Meade AR-5 127mm f/9.3, Meade ST-80 f/5 and Meade 60mm f/12, Jason 60mm f/15 #313, Jason 60mm f/12 #306 S7, Bushnell Sky Chief III 60mm f/15.
Reflectors/Catadioptrics: Meade 10" F/4 Schmidt-Newtonian, Galileo 120mm f/8.3 Newtonian, Meade 2045D 4" f/10 SCT, Meade ETX-90EC f/13.8 & Sarblue 60mm f/12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrains.
Mounts: Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro & Meade LXD55 Equatorial mounts, ES Twilight II and Meade 2102 ALT/AZ mounts, a modified 10" SkyQuest Dobsonian mount, various 60mm EQ mounts.
Misc: Celestron 20x80mm binoculars, Revolution II Imager/accessories, & lots of optical accessories/eyepieces.
Projects: 8" f/2.9 and 65mm f/10 reflectors, Dobson-style binocular mirror mount.
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
I use an 0.5x Antares /StarBru wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 4:13 am I have an old Meade 2045-D 102mm f/10 SCT that I was not really happy with until I bought a Meade 6.3 focal reducer. So maybe a focal reducer will make a small difference in finding and observing DSO's through your 127mm MAK!
I once owned an old spur-geared C8 SCT that was a nice all around scope, I should have never sold it. If I remember right, it did a pretty good job with DSO's.
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Re: Aperture to see DSOs as more than smudges
Right now it is light so late that I don't use my telescope much. Yesterday last light was 9:58pm eastern daylight saving time and it was still light enough at 10:20pm that I couldn't see M13. It doesn't help that we have had lots of rain and the mosquitoes are everywhere, even in the daytiime.
When I said
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