Quote:
Originally Posted by CChelle
Firstly, I can see many of the spiral galaxies through my scope, but they only look like disks and no spiral details are seen. Is this because a 10" scope is not big enough to bring out these arm details?
Second, I have had what I think are great views of the Orion and Carina nebulas. I can clearly see the four baby stars in Orion and the Carina star in Carina, but my views look totally different to the (black and white) photographs I see in books. The photographs are far, far more detailed. Is this normal? I do not use any filter for looking at nebs. Would a filter make a huge difference?
Unfortunately I cannot photograph what I am viewing and that brings me to my third question... I have a digital SLR and I have purchased the extansion tube to go between my camera and the eyepiece fitting on my scope, but I cannot get the scope to focus sharply when the camera is attached.
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1st query - This is normal in scopes of this size. You will need a much larger primary to see detail when used visually.
I am not sure how big a mirror needs to be for this to take place?
2nd query - Our eyes are not sensitive enough to pick up the colour of these deep sky objects, although some do report seeing a hint of colour. This is where photography steals the show.
Astro photography:
Does your Dobsonian use a solid optical tube?
Is it close to focus with the extension tube or without?
Others have got this to work by moving the position of the primary mirror but that will limit your visual astronomy.