Quote:
Originally Posted by astroron
Long may you enjoy imaging splodges in the Night Sky 
I will just admire the images you and others put up , and continue to enjoy my Observing 
Cheers |
I'm with you on this one astroron (that makes at least two of us). I like to observe at the limits of visibility and therein lies the satisfaction of visual observing over imaging, in being able to detect an object that isn't always seen by those with keen eyes and often missed by many.
I go for the really faint galaxies that are there one night and not the next or the one after but then appear brighter than before the following night. The only real diffence being sky brightness but I am yet to get myself one of those sky quality meters to quantify my results. These same galaxies are the ones that appear to some as an obvious smudge when seen yet others will see nothing until their observing skills are honed.
I'm not interested in detail or structure in the object, simply seeing the smudge is satisfaction enough and then I move onto the next object (usually always a galaxy). If I want detail and structure I go to the Hubble web site and do a search.
I'm also with the opinion that large aperture is still better in city lights than small aperture. I once saw the Ghost of Jupiter nebula in a 16" f5 and it was better under city lights than I had ever seen it through my own 6" or 10" under similar skies.