- #1
dilletante
- 98
- 4
My question concerns what deep field objects you can see by eye using a quality 8" or 10" Cassegrainian scope? I understand that you can get some nice photographs with long exposures, but what about just looking through the scope?
Planets are a given, but what about spiral galaxies, as an example. Can you make out the spiral arms? Will the galaxy be tiny, or can you magnify enough such that it will occupy a reasonable portion of the field of view? I realize it depends on which galaxy you are viewing, but assume it is one of the easier ones to see.
As an aside, I once built a 6" reflecting scope with wooden equatorial mount and was able to see the rings of Saturn, but this was in my youth and I didn't stick with it long enough to answer the questions above.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Planets are a given, but what about spiral galaxies, as an example. Can you make out the spiral arms? Will the galaxy be tiny, or can you magnify enough such that it will occupy a reasonable portion of the field of view? I realize it depends on which galaxy you are viewing, but assume it is one of the easier ones to see.
As an aside, I once built a 6" reflecting scope with wooden equatorial mount and was able to see the rings of Saturn, but this was in my youth and I didn't stick with it long enough to answer the questions above.
Thanks for any help you can provide.