View Single Post
  #11  
Old July 31st 05, 08:11 AM
Mark S. Holden
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You can avoid the need for a compass if you learn how to spot Polaris.
(The North Star)

If you look at your star charts, you'll find two of the stars in the big
dipper define a line that points right at Polaris.

On M57, you'll probably need about 60 power to see the hole in the
donut. I typically observe it at about 90 power in my 4.5" refractor.

If you pick up a 9 mm eyepiece, you'll have 53.33 power without your
barlow, and 106.66 with it.