Quote:
Originally Posted by janoskiss
48" for visual is a bit nuts when you consider that the lowest magnification where the average human eye can make use of the full aperture is around 200x! But hey, if I had the chance to look through it, I'd step over my mother to do so!  |
Hi Steve,
In Texas last year we were lucky enough to be looking at M51 through Larry Mitchell's 36".
How could I best describe it? Sure, I've seen lots of mind-boggling great
astrophotographs, including right here on IceInSpace, but no photograph could
compare with that stunning view in real-time with your own eye. It's a bit like
the difference between looking at the postcards of some place and actually being
there and seeing it for yourself. I joked to Larry that I didn't think the amazing view
really had anything to do with aperture, it is simply because by the time you have
climbed to the top of the ladder on these monster scopes, you are just that
much closer to whatever you are looking at.
M51 is about 11.2' x 6.9' so it would still probably make a great target in 48".
One thing that is commonplace with American observers is the use of step ladders
with half-steps. In other words, the steps are spaced at half the normal distance,
so there are twice as many of them for any given length ladder. These types
of half-step ladders make the climb up and down just that little bit more
reassuring, but I note they aren't common on observing fields in Australia.
Anyway, hope you get the chance to look through some serious aperture
without having to trample over family members for the opportunity.
Best Regards
Gary
of the 30 inch.
.
