improving DSO observing with small APO refractor

[yagon]

I'm very happy with the views I get with my ED80 on planets, the moon, clusters and rich fields. However, I find DSOs difficult.

Can anyone comment on how to maximise DSO observing with an ED80? Do filters make a significant difference?

I am currently using cheap GSO eyepieces. Would an eyepiece upgrade make a difference?

[Vermin (Tom)]

Have you tried:

1) Averted vision (ask me, if you don't know what this is).

2) Getting out to a really dark site - worth it for the naked eye views alone, but will also help with the image contrast in your scope.

3) Tapping the tripod lightly to make the image move over more of your retina

4) Considering the slippery slope towards more aperture...

LPR filters will increase the contrast slightly but will also dim the image further, not good if you are struggling with the brightness as is.

As for ep's I suspect it would make very little difference.

Like most things, practice helps. The more you try the more you will learn to see.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Astrophotography is one option as digital cameras are many times more sensitive than the eye, other than that as Tom suggested more aperture. I didn't really appreciate how much difference aperture makes until I compared my ED80 side by side with my LX90 8 inch SCT. There is no substitute for aperture.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

. I didn't really appreciate how much difference aperture makes until I compared my ED80 side by side with my LX90 8 inch SCT. There is no substitute for aperture.

You got that right Phil. Love looking through my 80, but for brightness of DSO my 8" leave it for dead. But then I look through Astroron's 16" and I'm not the same for a week.

Yagon, you really hit the nail on the head when you said

Originally Posted by yagon

I'm very happy with the views I get with my ED80 on .......the moon, clusters and rich fields.

That is where the 80 excels. It is a widefield refractor after all. If you get the chance to take it to a really dark site you will be blown away. Wait til Winter and have a look at the Scoprius, Sagitarius region.

It's true that some of the nebula filters and light pollution filters will help with some DSOs but not all. If you want to see galaxies, head to a dark site, filters won't generally help there. If you want to see the Veil nebula get the right filter and head to a dark site. If you want to see planetary nebula then maybe consider an O111 filter. Lots of money involved in filters. This is all second hand info as I don't use filters as I don't do a lot of indepth visual work. I'm a clickaholic.

See if you can find somewhere nice and dark within 20 minutes to half an hour from home. You'll really be hooked then.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I have an ed80 and to get the best from it , you really do need to get it to a dark site. In fact from my suburban home it just doesnt get used at all.

[Striker (Tony)]

Same with me...The ED80 is a guide scope at home...nothing more...at a dark site it take's wonderful widefield images.

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Everyone is spot on with there advice.

But I could not stress more that in a small scope you need dark skies for DSO.

I have a 6" scope and from home its hopeless on most DSO's. Fine on the brighter ones.
But in a dark sky its fine and shows many DSO well.