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Main
Date: 01 Sep 2007 09:46:48
From:
Subject: Favorite Filter/Object/Telescope Combinations
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What are some of your favorite filter/object/telescope combinations?
A few of mine are:
The #56 Light Green for Venus near or just after sunset with an 80mm f/
5 achromat. This combination appears to effectively erase chromatic
aberrations, reduces the excessive brightness of the planet, and
renders albedo variations in the Venusian atmosphere more easily
visible. (Some color filters *can* be effectively used with small
telescopes.)
The somewhat darker #58 Green filter works similarly to the above and
has been found to be preferrable for use with a 5" apo refractor and
12" Newtonian.
Many of my Martian observations have been made using a #23A Light Red
filter along with a 5" apo refractor. The red enhances the contrast
of the various dark markings on the planet. Other filters (various
shades of blue -- I would have to search my records to find out
which . . .) can reveal Martian clouds while at times effectively
erasing the features that were enhanced with the red filter.
A polarizing filter, properly rotated, works wonders on the quarter
moon in the daytime with just about any telescope. This is a good
combination to use with school groups for observing the quarter moon
during the school day. The filter darkens the background sky *much*
more than it does the quarter moon. I've use this arrangement with
80mm and larger telescopes.
Filters are great for experimenting with -- when one has the time,
etc. Unfortunately it can be a bit of a finger-numbing experience to
work with eyepeice filters in the dead of a Montana winter. I'm
hoping that a recently ordered Orion filter-wheel will make my own
filter experiences a bit more effective and enjoyable.
I've read and appreciated all the various comments relating to my past
and present presence on saa. Thanks! It's good to be back home again
with my friends. Now then, I wonder if Google will allow me to place
links in a posting . . .
Bill Greer
To sketch is to see.
http://cejour.blogspot.com/
http://www.rangeweb.net/~sketcher/index.html
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Date: 02 Sep 2007 16:53:36
From: Jan Owen
Subject: Re: Favorite Filter/Object/Telescope Combinations
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<AstroSketcher@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1188665208.789175.45990@o80g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> What are some of your favorite filter/object/telescope combinations?
>
> A few of mine are:
>
> The #56 Light Green for Venus near or just after sunset with an 80mm f/
> 5 achromat. This combination appears to effectively erase chromatic
> aberrations, reduces the excessive brightness of the planet, and
> renders albedo variations in the Venusian atmosphere more easily
> visible. (Some color filters *can* be effectively used with small
> telescopes.)
>
> The somewhat darker #58 Green filter works similarly to the above and
> has been found to be preferrable for use with a 5" apo refractor and
> 12" Newtonian.
>
> Many of my Martian observations have been made using a #23A Light Red
> filter along with a 5" apo refractor. The red enhances the contrast
> of the various dark markings on the planet. Other filters (various
> shades of blue -- I would have to search my records to find out
> which . . .) can reveal Martian clouds while at times effectively
> erasing the features that were enhanced with the red filter.
>
> A polarizing filter, properly rotated, works wonders on the quarter
> moon in the daytime with just about any telescope. This is a good
> combination to use with school groups for observing the quarter moon
> during the school day. The filter darkens the background sky *much*
> more than it does the quarter moon. I've use this arrangement with
> 80mm and larger telescopes.
>
> Filters are great for experimenting with -- when one has the time,
> etc. Unfortunately it can be a bit of a finger-numbing experience to
> work with eyepeice filters in the dead of a Montana winter. I'm
> hoping that a recently ordered Orion filter-wheel will make my own
> filter experiences a bit more effective and enjoyable.
>
> I've read and appreciated all the various comments relating to my past
> and present presence on saa. Thanks! It's good to be back home again
> with my friends. Now then, I wonder if Google will allow me to place
> links in a posting . . .
>
> Bill Greer
> To sketch is to see.
> http://cejour.blogspot.com/
> http://www.rangeweb.net/~sketcher/index.html
>
I have a Lumicon (when it really WAS Lumicon, and I bought ONLY the VERY
best they made at the time, AS they made them) UHC, Deep Sky, and OIII, and
I bought colored filters from Meade, and neutral density filters, as well...
So, I have the filters, but most of the time, I just don't USE them...
I find that, most of the time, I prefer going without...
Dunno' if that's like with or without condoms or not, but it IS sorta' how
it goes for me...
If I could have only ONE filter, it would probably be the UHC... But I
don't know if the UHC *I* have is the same as the UHC folks can buy today,
so this is a tough question to answer...
--
Jan Owen
To reach me directly, remove the Z, if one appears in my e-mail address...
Latitude: 33.6
Longitude: -112.3
http://community.webshots.com/user/janowen21
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Date: 03 Sep 2007 00:58:18
From: David Knisely
Subject: Re: Favorite Filter/Object/Telescope Combinations
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Jan Owen wrote:
> If I could have only ONE filter, it would probably be the UHC... But I
> don't know if the UHC *I* have is the same as the UHC folks can buy today,
> so this is a tough question to answer...
Well, I got a "new" 2" UHC, and overall, it is pretty much similar to my
original 1990's vintage UHC. However, I have found that the DGM Optics
NPB filter is just a bit better overall. It provides just a bit more
contrast with a more "natural" color balance than the UHC does, although
the overall difference between the two filters is slight. The "New"
Lumicon OIII is definitely better than my old one, as it has higher
transmission and a slightly narrower passband. Clear skies to you.
--
David W. Knisely KA0CZC@navix.net
Prairie Astronomy Club: http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
Hyde Memorial Observatory: http://www.hydeobservatory.info/
**********************************************
* Attend the 14th Annual NEBRASKA STAR PARTY *
* July 15th-20th, 2007, Merritt Reservoir *
* http://www.NebraskaStarParty.org *
**********************************************
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Date: 02 Sep 2007 17:36:42
From: Dennis Woos
Subject: Re: Favorite Filter/Object/Telescope Combinations
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In our 10" f/6 dob with skies pushing mag 6, we greatly enjoy: 1) 2" Lumicon
OIII on the Veil Nebula. I think the OIII is the best choice to light up
this nebula, and explore the tremendous amount of detail visible. 2) 2"
Lumicon H-Beta (club owned) on the Horsehead Nebula. The filter makes all
the difference, and the horse head is nicely outlined by the surrounding
nebulosity. The H-Beta is only useful on a few targets, which is why our
club bought one to share. However, for those few objects it really is the
only filter that works.
Dennis
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Date: 02 Sep 2007 19:42:20
From: Steve Paul
Subject: Re: Favorite Filter/Object/Telescope Combinations
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"Dennis Woos" <dpwoos@gmavt.net > wrote in message
news:13dmb76ok10pmb2@corp.supernews.com...
> In our 10" f/6 dob with skies pushing mag 6, we greatly enjoy: 1) 2"
> Lumicon OIII on the Veil Nebula. I think the OIII is the best choice to
> light up this nebula, and explore the tremendous amount of detail visible.
> 2) 2" Lumicon H-Beta (club owned) on the Horsehead Nebula. The filter
> makes all the difference, and the horse head is nicely outlined by the
> surrounding nebulosity. The H-Beta is only useful on a few targets, which
> is why our club bought one to share. However, for those few objects it
> really is the only filter that works.
>
> Dennis
I'll have to give the UHC a go on the veil in my 6"F5. Hopefully in a few
hours from now.
-Steve
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Date: 01 Sep 2007 18:58:50
From:
Subject: Re: Favorite Filter/Object/Telescope Combinations
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On Sep 1, 11:19 am, AM <sctu...@comcast.net > wrote:
>I preffer very high power and
> lot's of patience waiting for those moments of clear
> seeing. This is for planetary viewing. Nebulae filters
> are a whole nother matter...
This thread was not intended to be restricted to only planetary
viewing. What are your preferences in nebulae filters?
For the most part I've preferred unfiltered views for my own deepsky
observing. My sky is dark enough for me to see B33 in a 5-inch scope
without the use of a filter. Nevertheless, I have an H-Beta filter
that will be coming my way soon. I've rarely used the O-III and
UltraBlock filters that I've had for some time now. Yet they can each
noticeably improve the contrast of some deep sky objects. Last winter
the UltraBlock *did* improve my view of B33 somewhat. I hope to
experiment a bit more with both planetary *and* deep sky filters
soon . . .
Bill Greer
To sketch is to see.
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Date: 02 Sep 2007 09:46:27
From: Steve Paul
Subject: Re: Favorite Filter/Object/Telescope Combinations
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<AstroSketcher@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1188698330.383624.157830@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 1, 11:19 am, AM <sctu...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>>I preffer very high power and
>> lot's of patience waiting for those moments of clear
>> seeing. This is for planetary viewing. Nebulae filters
>> are a whole nother matter...
>
> This thread was not intended to be restricted to only planetary
> viewing. What are your preferences in nebulae filters?
>
> For the most part I've preferred unfiltered views for my own deepsky
> observing. My sky is dark enough for me to see B33 in a 5-inch scope
> without the use of a filter. Nevertheless, I have an H-Beta filter
> that will be coming my way soon. I've rarely used the O-III and
> UltraBlock filters that I've had for some time now. Yet they can each
> noticeably improve the contrast of some deep sky objects. Last winter
> the UltraBlock *did* improve my view of B33 somewhat. I hope to
> experiment a bit more with both planetary *and* deep sky filters
> soon . . .
>
I find the only deep sky filter I have, the Lumicon UHC, helps cut the gray
skyglow above the prison lights in my south, where the NELM is around 4.5 on
a good night.
When I can see M8 as a blotch in the sky naked eye, the UHC helps quite a
bit on M8 and M17 in any of the larger aperture scopes I've owned from 8" to
12.5".
With smaller scopes, I don't tend to be looking for detail, so unless I'm
desperate for that minimal extra punch on a specific target, or if I'm just
sweeping the Milky Way hap hazzardly to see what I can see with it, I don't
bother.
That said, even if all I had were a small scope (which is true at the
moment), I wouldn't part with it. If you're gonna get a filter for deep sky,
the UHC/Ultrablock is a good first choice. Other's I know swear by the
O-III, but I believe that serves better for hunting distant PN's in larger
aperture scopes at high powers.
-Steve
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Date: 01 Sep 2007 13:19:12
From: AM
Subject: Re: Favorite Filter/Object/Telescope Combinations
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AstroSketcher@gmail.com wrote:
> What are some of your favorite filter/object/telescope combinations?
To be honest, none.
Just me mind you, but I preffer very high power and
lot's of patience waiting for those moments of clear
seeing. This is for planetary viewing. Nebulae filters
are a whole nother matter...
--
AM
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