nFA observing report June 23-24, 2020

[notFritzArgelander]

Great session, nFA! What a lovely and detailed report! I would love to see the detail you have seen with M51, and I have never tried the North America Nebula or some of the other objects you observed. It's inspiring me to try those for myself, thank you!

To be sure the details that are visible with a 4" refractor are more subtle and difficult to see than when using the 12" Newtonian. Aperture counts for a lot. But what also counts for much is long practice doing visual observations. The more hours you spend looking, the more you can actually see. With a lot of aperture it's easier. With less it's more subtle but still achievable.

I am sure that some folks would look into the same eyepiece and say "there's nothing there". M51 does make a showier appearance in something like a Celestron 9.25 Edge or a Z12. It's very easy that way. Seeing the contrast differences in a 4" f11 refractor is more difficult and subtle, I grant. Same for the other objects.

Don't neglect the part of the system behind the eyepiece. Too often we make the discussion "all about the gear". The practice of observing skills allows the human to make the most of whatever gear you have, though. We shouldn't forget that.

[Bigzmey]

Excellent! It always amazes me how far a good quality 4" refractor can reach under good skies.

[Kanadalainen]

Outstanding evening, not_Fritz. I must say, I love that new TS scope. Beautiful.