Assistance with Filters!

[prova]

Amongest my purchase of a collimating tool and 2x barlow lens from MyAstroShop, I have been looking at possibly purchasing a moon and planet filter.

My question is, with the links attached, what the overall difference will be having these filters opposed to viewing the planets and moon surface detail without them?

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-255

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-055

Would like to decide today so I can place my order and these are what we're recommended :)

Cheers

[citivolus]

I can't imagine looking at the moon without a polarizer, especially through your 8" scope. I have the Lumicon filter in question, and it makes a huge difference in eye strain for lunar observing.

I can't address the other filters, as I have only ever used the basic RGB filters with planets, and found that they messed with my brain :)

[erick]

prova, here is a good introduction to the use of filters:-

http://sciastro.net/portia/advice/filters.htm

With respect to coloured filters or neutral density/polarising filters, there are people who reckon they are a great aid and others who find them little use. I have found coloured filters no benefit on Jupiter, but a younger viewer thought the yellow filter did help. I haven't tried them on much else as yet. I do, however, use a crossed polariser on the full moon in particular, even on Jupiter at one stage.

It would be best if you can try before you hand over big dollars. I guess $15 each for a few coloured filters isn't too much. However $59 for the polarising seems high (though the quality description is good). If you check around, you can get two 1.25" polarising filters for $25 that will achieve much the same result.

Also think about whether you will be wanting 2" filters for 2" eyepieces, rather than, or as well as 1.25" filters. A 2" filter can always be put onto the 1.25"-->2" adapter (watch the eyepiece doesn't hit the filter when inserted - tighten it up a bit higher if it looks like it will). Or it can be put on the end of a 2" barlow.


Eric :)

[KG8]

If your going to spend a bit of time on the moon a variable polarizer is a must I reckon. That one at $60 is a good price compared to the rubbish meade one I bought for nearly $100. I think I'll get one myself and sell the meade here, plenty of people around who like the meade product range. :whistle: