What can I realistically expect to see with my Nexstar 8SE telescope?

[ILoveKnowledge (Sassan)]

Hi all! I have had my 8SE telescope for about a month and a half now. I haven't been able to take it somewhere away from the night sky of the city yet, so I understand my viewing capabilities will be severely limited until I do so (even though I have an urban city filter). Anyhow, I can of course see the planets beautifully and even star clusters; but I have not been able to yet see galaxies or nebulae. What kind of deep-sky objects can I expect to see with my 8SE both in the city and then away from the city?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by ILoveKnowledge

Hi all! I have had my 8SE telescope for about a month and a half now. I haven't been able to take it somewhere away from the night sky of the city yet, so I understand my viewing capabilities will be severely limited until I do so (even though I have an urban city filter). Anyhow, I can of course see the planets beautifully and even star clusters; but I have not been able to yet see galaxies or nebulae. What kind of deep-sky objects can I expect to see with my 8SE both in the city and then away from the city?

Thanks in advance for your input!

In the city or under moon lit sky, it will be very difficult to see most galaxies or nebulae.
And a skyglow filter actually reduces the light getting to your eye. Although it can increase contrast, by eliminating the glow from urban lighting to some extent.

Under dark skies the Nexstar 8Se will show you all of the Messier objects, but some of the fainter magnitude objects may take a bit of looking to actually see.

Because the human eye is movement sensitive, I used to watch through the eyepiece as the scope was finishing its slewing, and sometimes that is enought to show up the faint fuzzy as it moves in the eyepiece.

Most faint objects are seen better with averted vision, where you look slightly away from the target. This is because the peripheral vision is more light sensitive (but not colour sensitive).

A dew shield will help block out some stray light for you too.
Every little bit helps.

Cheers
Allan

[Gem (Grant)]

It takes time and experience to "see" some objects with low surface brightness. I can see something plainly and then ask a friend to look and they see nothing. In town with an 8 inch scope you will struggle with many galaxies and nebula. However, there are still many good nebula that are within your reach. M8, M20 and the Tarantula (NGC 2070) are good nebula to start on (although Tarantula is more a summer object). Have a go at clusters to start with too. M5, M22, NGC 104, NGC 6397 and Omega Cen (NGC 5139) are great objects to look at in town or out. I have a Celestron 9.25" and observe from surburban Canberra. In just the last 12 months I have managed to observe over 200 different objects. So, there is plenty there if you know where to look and are patient.

[Gem (Grant)]

Just noticed that you are a nothern observer... forget the Tarantula Nebula, Omega Cen, NGC 6397 and NGC 104 then - they are more southern objects!

[Vegeta (Ibrahim)]

For the northern hemisphere, try M31. It would be your best hope for galaxies under light polluted skies. M57 is a famous planetary nebula, if its high enough, it should come up in your scope.