What would a good size Ep be for viewing andromeda and nebulas

[Jemmo (Adrian)]

Thanks for the map and great info john

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Personally, I'd just try your 32mm eyepiece for low power, and a 10mm eyepiece for a 2mm exit pupil - this shows up the other two Messier galaxies next to Andromeda quite well at a darkish site. Though your 9mm would do the job too.

The thing is, what you really need is an ultra dark site. I used to get really annoyed reading US astronomy magazines where telescope reviewers at ultra dark sites were seeing all 2 degrees of Andromeda with 100mm telescopes. I've only ever seen the core of the galaxy from down here, and I think there is no hope of getting a better view from our peninsula because of the lights from Melbourne.

Still, I check it out quite often when it's up in the sky using my binoculars - because it's still fascinating.
Regards,
Renato

[astro_nutt]

Hi Adrian.
If you do get a 15mm EP, try also NGC5128 and M104.

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Originally Posted by Renato1

The thing is, what you really need is an ultra dark site. I used to get really annoyed reading US astronomy magazines where telescope reviewers at ultra dark sites were seeing all 2 degrees of Andromeda with 100mm telescopes. I've only ever seen the core of the galaxy from down here, and I think there is no hope of getting a better view from our peninsula because of the lights from Melbourne.

Renato

Renato is correct. I had been doing astronomy for 40 years before I saw M31 really well from Australia. That was a crystal clear November night and I was 50km out of Whyalla (32 degrees S), in the desert.
Using a 106 APO with a 17.3 Delos I could see spiral arms dust lanes, and heaps of other detail.
Had to wait 40 years since I first saw those photos in the Time/Life book "the Universe" to see it that way though. This hobby requires patience Jemmo, so do not be disappointed if you don't see what you expect straight away.

John

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by The Mekon

Renato is correct. I had been doing astronomy for 40 years before I saw M31 really well from Australia. That was a crystal clear November night and I was 50km out of Whyalla (32 degrees S), in the desert.
Using a 106 APO with a 17.3 Delos I could see spiral arms dust lanes, and heaps of other detail.
Had to wait 40 years since I first saw those photos in the Time/Life book "the Universe" to see it that way though. This hobby requires patience Jemmo, so do not be disappointed if you don't see what you expect straight away.

John

It's great to know that it can be done down here, thanks.
Cheers,
Renato

[Tropo-Bob (Bob)]

I can see M31 with the naked eye on a good night. I was most blown away viewing it through 20X80 binoculars during my early astronomy years. The two companion galaxies are both visible here (-17 degrees) with a good 80mm scope. I have always preferred lower magnifications so that I can better see the outer parts of the galaxy.