Astronomik CLS filter

[Marcus10 (Marcus)]

Hi all

I have a quick question in relation to filters for visual astronomy.

I currently have an Astronomik UHC and an OIII. These are great on nebulae and planetaries.

I have a moderately light polluted home observing site.

My question is in relation to a broadband filter such as an Astronomik CLS. Would this assist in relation to identifying and viewing galaxies in moderate light pollution? Or am I better sticking with the UHC/OIII (which help little/not at all on galaxies).

I appreciate that galaxies emit light in all wavelengths and therefore don't respond that well to filters, but having being a narrowband filter user, I wondered if the broadband Astronomik CLS would help in this regard.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

I have used the CLS for both visual and photographic astronomy. It certainly helps with the photography in my LP but almost doubles the exposure time. It has a similar effect visually by darkening the whole view but it does give contrast to the Neb which allows better definition of the dust lanes vs the black stuff.
Yep, it would be my most used and most useful filter. I have some serious LP in my location.

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

A+++ filter in my book. The best and most used filter in my kit. I use mine mainly for photo work, and has allowed me to get exposure times that I could not get in the past due to light pollution... great value for money filter.

Mardy

[Jon (Jonathan)]

I like the CLS for visual as well as imaging. You can have a lot of fun comparing the view the UHC and the CLS give of mission nebulae. For instance, for me the UHC really brings out the dark lanes in the Trifid, but kills off all the reflection nebulosity (the blue stuff in images) whereas the CLS preserves some of it and brings it out from the background.

The graphs suggest that the CLS would be a good bet for galaxies, particularly with your 18" :-)