Hi David,

David wrote:
I have decided on buying an Orion SkyQuest 4.5 dob. It is a compromise
decision as I got three kids 13 and under and the 4.5 is also fairly
portable. I was wondering if users familiar with this scope can tell me what
I can expect to see.
The only other telescope I have own has been one of those 60mm refractors
sold in department stores, actually mine was a Jason refractor I bought at
13 years old back in 1971. So the Orion 4.5" has got to
be a step up over that one. Can I see any deep sky objects like Orion Nebula
as an example. What about galaxies?? With my Jason refractor I was able to
see Andromeda , though it was a small.
Can i see the Mars ice caps at opposition?
How about Jupiter's red spot at times?? Any information appreciated.

A 4.5" will show you a lot of things. You will need dark sky for
really good views of deep-sky targets, but this is true for all
telescopes. The Orion Nebula looks _GREAT_ in 4.5". Many other
nebulae and galaxies should be visible too. For the galaxies, the most
important thing for a good view is a dark sky - if your place have
serious light pollution, a trip to a darker place is a very good thing
that will be rewarded. (Don't start with a trip, though - there is
nothing worse than being in a cold dark place with a scope you don't
know enough and not enough experience/equipment to help you navigate
the sky. Get used to the scope for a while from your backyard.)

Regarding the planets - all those things you are asking about will
be readily visible with your scope. (However, keep in mind that the
Great Red Spot is not so red those years and one may not recognize it
at first.) The light pollution is not an issue. You need good, stable
seeing, and some time for the scope to cool down after you take it out
for viewing. The collimation is especially important for planetary
viewing. At least in the beginning I would advice you not to play
with the collimation - not that it is something especially difficult
to do, or that you can break anything - just it's good to get used
to your scope for a few sessions before trying to collimate.

Finally, you will need a good set of sky charts. Search the newsgroup
for ideas in this respect. You will have to get some red light,
so you can see in the dark without ruining your night vision too
much. Then you will need a portale table to put the charts. And
a portable chair to sit when observing. And probably an eyepiece
or two in addition of what you have. Maybe a UHC or OIII filter
will come handy at some point... The list of useful things is
endless - don't get scared, one can go without most of those things.
Think of them as a blessing - there will not be a Christmas or
birthday coming, when you don't have idea what present to get, :-)

Good luck with your new scope! :-)

Ckear skies,

- Alex