Noob needs some help

[kljucd1 (Daniel)]

Hi,



Hi everyone!!

I just bought an 8" dobsonian a couple of weeks ago. I live in Liverpool, NSW and I usually use my scope out in the backyard.

When I am out the back, the only two things that I seem to be able to see are the Moon and Jupiter. With a 10mm lense, Jupiter was a bit small so I got myself a lense kit that included a a 6 & 9 mm with a 2 x Barlow; good for a start I think.

My question is, seeing how I am in Liverpool (light pollution utopia) is this all I am going to be able to see from my backyard, or is there some more filters/lenses and such that will allow me to see more. (Keep in mind that at the moment I am not out there much past 10-11pm.)

Also, I have to say, that as a person who has never seen the Moon close up, I was gobsmacked at what I was seeing.

Any answers/advice is much appreciated.

Thanks

Daniel..

[astro_nutt]

Hi Daniel and welcome to IIS!!!
I can relate to seeing the Moon up close..it is awesome!!..a good way to find objects is with a Planishpere and a good star atlas..it does take some practice and patience..relax and allow some time for your eyes to adjust to each object you find..keep a diary of what you find and sketch them if you can.
It will be necessary to align your mirrors (collimation) from time to time..also the care and cleaning of your scope's optics...there are plenty of knowlegable people and sections in this forum on the subject..and if you're not sure..ask away!!
Enjoy!!

[ving (David)]

hi dan.
welcome abaord.
i have an 8" too and can see plenty with it. i live in campbelltown tho which is slightly better light pollution wise that liverpool but still light polluted. what you need do is train your eyes. the more you look the more you see, trust me! you should be able to see (at least as a smudge) the brighter galaxies when theres no moon out. bright nebulas and all the planets to some degree... get yourself a chart and get out there

[astronut (John)]

Hi Daniel,
As the other guys have said, with the right charts and of course experience you'll be able to see a lot more than you have up to now.
Having said that, going to a darker sky helps greatly.
I'm the president of The Macarthur Astronomical Society, I would like to invite you to our observing night at The Oaks this Saturday night, you would be made most welcome.
The objects your scope will see from there will blow you away.
Let me know if you would like to come.
Cheers, John.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

You should be able to see detail in the big globs. 47 Tuc is in prime position at the moment.

If you want to see nebulae a little better 20mm eyepiece with a narrowband nebula filter (I use DGM NPB) is your best bet.

If you find the time it's well worth going for a drive out of the city. Amazing how much you can see under pristine skies. Take a pair of low power binos too to help you find your way around - not to mention the sheer enjoyment.

[kljucd1 (Daniel)]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies guys .

So I think I understand, I need to spend more time out in the dark and more time reading the star maps in order to train my eyes/learn how to locate the different objects so that I can see them properly. I have already started with the star maps which is good.

Astronut, thanks for the invite, I hope to be able to make it out there and will try to make arrangements to do so.

Thanks

Daniel...

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Daniel,

Welcome to IIS

I can only second the suggestion that you get out to the Macarthur Astro Society's observing nights even if it means you have to crawl over broken glass!!

Keep looking up....