Meade LX90 8"GPS

Brad · Guest

Hello,

The Meade LX90 8"GPS is my first real scope and I have only had it out 4 or 5 times so far. The accuracy is truely amazing and the planetery views are nice. But when I look at deep sky oblects I have been a little dissapointed. I know that they are not going to look like images from Hubble but most that I have found are so faint they are not clearly recognizable. I have the series 4000 eyepiece set and use mostly the 26mm without the barlow. I have taken it to a dark sky site each time. Is there something else that I need to be doing? Are there any filters or any other accessories that would help bring out more detail?

Brad

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Hi

You will never see the detail in deep-sky objects the way you see detail in planets. The name of the game in deep-sky is to first see the object, then try to see as much width as possible (larger scopes see more of the faint edges) and, finally, see detail in the object, in that order. If you are even seeing difficult objects, especailly under light polluted skies, youa re doing well.

Yes, you can always try different eyepieces and even drop the magnification to improve image brightness. Going to more expensive eyepieces will get you better resolution and/or wider fields of view. Good eyepieces are always the first thing to buy.

Filters are going to produce the most gain, though. Try a good narrowband filter, like the Televue Bandmate for nebuale, in general, and, especially for planetaries, an OIII. Absolutely won't believe the difference an OIII will make on a planetary.
_________________
Thanks for posting with us
Joanie K - Your personal optics expert

Forum: http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard
Blog: http://blog.opticsplanet.com/
Store: http://www.opticsplanet.net/

Phone: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003

kc8ntp · Guest

One thing that I would like to mention: The Schmidt-Cassegrain is not really suited to deepsky viewing. The focal length of the Schmidt is more suited to planetary viewing. However, the Schmidt really excels at astro-photography, but then usually requires a F6.3 focal reducer for deep-space photos.

In my experience, a medium sized Dob will walk all over a Schmidt for visual observing of deep-space objects, but the LX90 will kick the Schmidt out of the Dob for planetary viewing. Again, I will reiterate the fact that the Schmidt is far superior astro-photography, even compared to an equatorial mounted Newtonian.

I know that this is an old post, but I thought that I would throw in my $0.02 worth anyway.

KC8NTP, Nevada

300 days of clear skies a year, humidity always 20% or less, 7000 feet above sea level, and a limiting magnitude of at least 6.5 everyday! Now what astronomer wouldn't live here?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Wow! How are rental prices in that area? Maybe I need to retire early. Seriously, though, appreciate the good post.
_________________
Thanks for posting with us
Joanie K - Your personal optics expert

Forum: http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard
Blog: http://blog.opticsplanet.com/
Store: http://www.opticsplanet.net/

Phone: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003