On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 10:05:55 GMT, CandT wrote:

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?

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

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

Cheers,

CandT

Thanks all - got my Barlow and 4mm this morning, but looks like the first clear
night will probably be tomorrow night now. But that'll give me time to Cartes up
all those objects!

Cheers,

CandT