[darkskybondi]

Hi all,

I've been quite patient with my new 10" truss skywatcher (focal length 1200mm), taking it out almost every night with very low expectations. I've observed Saturn, the moon, Orion nebula, Omega Centauri (globular), a few other objects that I have largely forgotten, and the Leo Trio.

Now I have marvelled at each of these. However, this is a 10 inch scope. I am surprised at the dimness of most of these objects. Omega Centauri was nice but for such a bright object I would have expected something significantly brighter at the eyepiece. Orion nebula is pretty but certainly not the showcase that all the posts and the books I've read have said it should be; it is clearly visible but not what I would call a bright object. The Leo Trio (M65, M66 and NGC 3628) was particularly dim; I starhopped there and saw but the faintest of tiny fuzzies.

Even with my reasonable expectations, I expected to see far more; Philips' Deep Sky Objects guide has a sketch done of the Leo Trio as seen in an 80mm refractor and even that sketch is far, far more detailed than anything I could even see with all of the following: averted vision, good dark adaptation, reasonably dark skies (I'm on the coast), hours learning to laser collimate the instrument (which included battleship tightening the locking screws since I thought they were the adjusting screws... worried I buggered the mirror cell casting)... etc.

And I should mention that the moon IS bright through the scope - it's bright through my binoculars, for heaven's sake! - but not the blinding sight I imagined it would be through a 10" scope. Maybe I was wrong, but I can comfortably view the moon which is currently waxing gibbous at around 65% for plenty long.

As I mentioned, the skies are as dark as can be expected anywhere near the city; I'm on the coast and the eastern skies are quite dark indeed compared to the light-polluted washout to the west.

What could I be doing wrong? Or am I on the right track here?

Cheers!
DSB