Astronomy in West LA: Can You Observe with a Telescope?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of observing celestial objects with a personal telescope in light-polluted areas, specifically in West Los Angeles. Participants explore the challenges posed by light pollution and share experiences and suggestions regarding telescope use in such environments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the visibility of celestial objects in West Los Angeles due to light pollution, suggesting that only the brightest objects may be observable.
  • Another participant shares their experience of observing in a similarly light-polluted area and notes that telescopes can still reveal dim objects, including major star clusters, although nebulae and galaxies are more challenging.
  • A participant suggests that traveling to darker locations, such as Lancaster or Palmdale, would significantly improve observing conditions.
  • One suggestion includes using light pollution filters, with a distinction made between narrowband and broadband filters, and their varying effectiveness in reducing light pollution while observing.
  • A later reply elaborates on the effectiveness of specific filters, like H-alpha and Oxygen-III line filters, for certain celestial objects, while clarifying that light pollution filters function differently.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a consensus that light pollution significantly impacts observing conditions, but there is no agreement on the effectiveness of filters or the extent to which telescopes can overcome light pollution. Multiple competing views on the best approaches to observing in such conditions remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying experiences with light pollution and telescope use, indicating that personal observations may depend on specific locations and conditions. The discussion includes assumptions about the effectiveness of filters and the visibility of different celestial objects, which may not be universally applicable.

Quaoar
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Question: I live in west Los Angeles, and I was wondering if I would be able to see much at all with a personal telescope, if I got one. I imagine the light pollution would prevent me from observing anything but the brightest of objects (Moon, Venus, Polaris, etc). Has anyone attempting to do some serious observing in a place with a lot of light pollution?
 
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It isn't great where I live (15 miles west of Philadelphia), but I don't know how it compares to where you are - can you identify what the dimmest stars you can see are? Anyway, telescopes are surprisingly able to burn through the skyglow and see dim objects. The 5 bright planets are, of course, a given, but you can also see pretty much all major star clusters. Nebulae and galaxies are a little tougher.

For me, it is worth it to drive an hour and a half every now and then to use my telescope somewhere much darker.
 
It's pretty crappy in West LA. Your best bet is to head out towards Lancaster or Palmdale for anything other than the brightest stars.
 
You might want to consider one of the many light pollution filters on the market. The narrowband filters are good at removing individual components of light pollution, like high-pressure sodium light. The broadband filters are more aggressive -- killing more of the light from the objects you're trying to view -- but can really help out a lot in extremely light polluted skies.

There really is no comparison to just driving out to a dark site, however.

- Warren
 
More specifically, many nebulae emit light at very specific frequencies (like Hydrogen Alpha) and a broadband filter that allows only those frequencies in can be very effective (so I've heard - I haven't done much work wih them yet...). But it won't help much for galaxies.
 
H-alpha and Oxygen-III line filters are very effective for certain kinds of objects, but they are not intended for use as "light pollution filters." A light pollution filter is not a line filter -- it's essentially an all-pass filter with a few carefully chosen notches to reject e.g. sodium-vapor light from commercial lighting systems.

- Warren
 

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