Eyepieces for planets and DSO

Meng Lee · Post by **Meng Lee** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:01 pm

By the way, most planetary eyepieces are made with rather short focal lengths so if you are using a long focal length scope, like C8 with fl = 2000mm, then the magnification is quite high. Many nice DSOs are rather large extended objects, too high a magnification will make the DSO look scattered and disappointing. And GOTO will be less accurate at high magnifications.

yanyewkay · Post by **yanyewkay** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:13 pm

Meng Lee wrote:IMHO, spacewalk is like, you look through the eyepiece, but you don't see the edges of the eyepiece (field stop), is like you are floating in outer space, looking at the stars!

Just to add, Good Diagonal, (for planets, no diagonal is the best), top barlow, and spot-on collimation and stable mount are also factors to achieve good planetary views. Eyepieces are just one part of the story.

oh yes.. i forgot about the diagonal. It made viewing so convenient that I've never gave a 2nd thought to it.. will ask about them later..

Post by **weixing** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:25 pm

Hi,
Have read the "An Eyepiece Primer" from Al Nagler: http://www.printthis.clickability.com/p ... rID=115966;

Have a nice day.

Tachyon · Post by **Tachyon** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 2:35 pm

I think the most important part of the observing train is your eyes, and then your brain. Train yourself to look carefully, and you will find that you will see more even in eyepieces that are not the best!

yanyewkay · Post by **yanyewkay** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:45 pm

thanks weixing, quite a chim and technical read. Will try to digest.

Tachyon: I agree on this part. I've been trying and trying and refrained from buying 'better' eyepieces so soon.

Post by **VinSnr** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:47 pm

Tachyon wrote:I think the most important part of the observing train is your eyes, and then your brain. Train yourself to look carefully, and you will find that you will see more even in eyepieces that are not the best!

Agree on this. Looking into the eyepiece requires some training. You need to train your eyes to see deep. This requires some patience.

Post by **VinSnr** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:55 pm

yanyewkay wrote:thanks weixing, quite a chim and technical read. Will try to digest.

Tachyon: I agree on this part. I've been trying and trying and refrained from buying 'better' eyepieces so soon.

In the old days where there is no digicam and stuff, people used to sketch what they see. That really trains the eye. You will be surprise that when you sit down and sketch, you will see a tremendous amount of stuff you didn't thought it exist.

Thesedays I don't see people sketch much anymore.