"CandT" wrote in
message
...
As a beginner with a relatively cheap
500mmx114mm (f4.3) newtonian, what am I
likely to be able to see well?

The optics seem pretty good, though with the 2
eyepieces I have (17 and 10mm
plossl's), the top magnification I can get it
50x :-(

Now I do have a 2x Barlow, and a 4mm Plossl
arriving soon, which will give me a
a range of magnifications of 29x, 50x, 125x,
(and 58x, 100x, and 250x with the
barlow). I know this 250x exceeds the 228
theoretical limit, but I'm hoping it
will give a reasonable view of some things... I
probably should have got a 6mm
instead, but hey ho, I'm just starting out, and
I get to keep the lenses if I
sell the scope...

Am I going to need filters to see nebulae? What
magnification is best to get
good views of jupiter and pluto?

Forget Pluto - its a very dim star like dot
observable in 8"+scopes.

Jupiter should be rewarding (with your EP's) at
125x. I suspect that 250x will be too much for
your scope - but give it a go. You may have more
luck with Saturn which seems to take a higher
magnification without breakdown.

Don't get any filters until you have gained some
experience. They do marginally inprove contrast
on some objects (not galaxies though), but not
really if the object is invisible to start with.


I think I'm more interested in the nebulae +
galaxy type observations, is that
what are called 'deep-sky obects'?

Yes.

Thanks all for your input - and please look out
for my other thread regarding my
next scope purchase!!!

Oh Oh! A very rapid onset of aperture fever! Read
Stephen Tonkin's pages for recomendations.
http://www.astunit.com/tutorials/firstscope.htm


Cheers,

Adam