coopman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/23/06
Posts: 1624
Loc: South Louisiana
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and why?
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Regards,
Clay
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalms 19:1
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Carol L
Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 6048
Loc: Tomahawk, WI 45N//89W
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My 8" SCT... it's the largest aperture i have, and being an f/10 it pulls me in pretty close. 
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 Authoring the monthly AstroSketch page in "Sky at Night" magazine
Lunar Sketch Tutorial
CN Gallery
Photo Gallery
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FAB
Stargeezer
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 2548
Loc: Blythe, CA USA
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I guess, for me, aperture still rules. My favorite is the 10" Dob. I have an interest in the shape of the mountains and crater wall shadows, well perhaps lunar shadows in general. The 10" lets me observe some details that smaller apertures aren't capable of. The fact the 10" is the largest scope this seventy year old body can haul around has, of course, nothing to do with it.
FAB 
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Floie
10.0" Hardin Dob
6.0" Konus Refractor
3.0" Celestron Tabletop Newtonian
10X50 Binoculars
Amscope T490A Trinocular Compound Microscope
Amscope SW2T13Y Trinocular Stereo Micoscope
http://home.earthlink.net/~blhtvl
http://www.cracblythe.org/index.html
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dgs©
Postmaster
Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 15060
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
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My 8"Ø Newt.
Because, it's what I have... I don't bother with the 60mm Ø Sears refractor much and the PST isn't much use for Lunar stuff. 
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- david
8"Ø Newtonian on SVP, Moonlite CR2, Telrad
PST Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Orion Ultraview 10×50
Hand-me-down Sears Refractor (Discoverer) 60mm×900mm
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal." --Albert Pike
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MoonChild
sage
Reged: 04/27/09
Posts: 280
Loc: upstate ny
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being my first and only scope at the moment...
and the first real scope ive ever used to look at the moon....
my 4.5" Meade newt!! lol
and with my new barlow i can get wikked close! 
But i did look at Selene with a Questar scope once..
and i knew from that day... one day, i must own one!! <3
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*newb*
“Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another” ~ Plato
~Kopernik Observatory
~C.Forks
my amateur astronomy pics
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ducatirob
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/15/05
Posts: 645
Loc: SW Ohio
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My 8" SCT and my Meade 127mm F9.3 refractor ,they both get alot use when I'm viewing the moon.
Rob
Edited by ducatirob (06/11/09 02:58 AM)
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 8801
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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My NexStar 9.25 inch f/10 SCT, as it allows me to use my binoviewers without having to rely on any relay lens. The view of the moon at 98x is stunning (and I can easily go up from there). Clear skies to you.
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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 4258
Loc: ohio
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depends.........if.....I have time to plan ahead, and I know its going ot be clear all night, Ill always set up my 8 inch SCT "Wilma" so she has time to cool down.Razor sharp details etc.
But.....if its a spur of the moment observing time, I will grab the C102HD , also razor sharp images but cool down time is almost non existant.And at f/10 it also has little color.
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12 inch Truss Reflector "John"
102mm Celestron C102HD " Carl "
Tasco 7TE5 60mm Classic
Tasco 9TE5 60mm Classic
Celestron Ultima 2000 SCT "Wilma"
Celestron Comet catcher(orange tube)
1960 Edscorp Space Conquerer 6inch f/8
10x50 Bushnell Binoculars.
60mm Telescope Club
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desertstars
Please stand by...
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 35870
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I use the 102mm refractor for lunar sight-seeing when time and/or energy is short, but the lure of moonlight is irresistable. I use the Newt for planned sessions when I want to study particular features or regions in as much detail as conditions will permit.
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Tom W.
Collinder's Catalog
Standing in a garden, contemplating the stars, and wondering how to put it all into words.
Carpe Lunam
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old_frankland
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/28/05
Posts: 881
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
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When seeing allows, C9, mostly imaging, but with less favorable seeing, a 4 inch ED refractor.
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Cheers,
Jim
Livermore CA
http://www.lafterhall.com/astro.html
3" APO, 4" ED refractor, 9" SCT, LS50F, GM8
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John Kocijanski
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/22/03
Posts: 1707
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My 10 inch dob. Aperture rules.
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Deep Space Observer 10 * SPC-8 * C102 HD f/10 * XT 4.5 * Orion/Moonlite 80ED * PST *
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InkDark
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/29/07
Posts: 2029
Loc: Montreal, Canada
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My 6 inch Dob. It's my first and only scope. When viewing DSO, I often think that my scope is a bit small in aperture for the job. But when I point that thing to Moon...Oh man that thing gets the job done, and very well btw! 
(few moon shots with handheld digital)
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Jimmy
If you could stop time, for how long would you stop it?
"...since that time, I have not complained about the weather one single time. I’m glad there is weather." – Alan Bean, Apollo 12
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4658
Loc: Jacumba, California
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For sharp synoptic views of the Moon my 125mm refractor is my scope of choice. For the close in vistas, my 12" SCT does the trick.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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InkDark
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/29/07
Posts: 2029
Loc: Montreal, Canada
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Hi Rich,
Man, can you sketch or what? Nice work!
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Jimmy
If you could stop time, for how long would you stop it?
"...since that time, I have not complained about the weather one single time. I’m glad there is weather." – Alan Bean, Apollo 12
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Chase McNiss
super member
Reged: 08/17/06
Posts: 121
Loc: New Hampshire
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My two favorites would be my C8 with the binoviewer when the seeing allows and there is time to let the scope cool down and then my C102F which gets used the most because of time constraints and seeing here in New England. A problem comes up when I have decent seeing and I want to do video imaging using the C8.
These days I am more interested in the visual side of things and can't wait for these clouds to go away. 
Cheers
Chase
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42-47'-17" N 71-24'-02" W
Celestron 203mm f10 SCT on ASGT mount
CG5 w/dual drives
C102F 102mm/900mm f9
Astrotelescope 152mm/900mm f5.9
TV76 76mm/480mm f6.3
DMK 21F04, Nikon P5100, TV Plossls
26, 13 and 9mm Naglers, BW Binoviewer,
DMK video cam
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4658
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Jimmy!
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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CESDewar
GorillAstronomer
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 2075
Loc: Morganton, GA, USA
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NP-127 with Denk II's seem to show as much detail as I can see in any scope under all normal seeing conditions. For those once-a-year excellent seeing conditions, I will see more in my 15" Dob, but it's a rare night when that happens!
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revans
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 1536
Loc: Fitchburg, MA
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For lunar viewing it would be my 5 inch (127 mm, F9.3) Meade ED refractor. This is because the seeing at my site is usually not very good and the refractor suffers less from seeing conditions than my other scopes. It is also pretty lite and easy to setup. The view is crisp with little or no chromatism and the scope can stand more magnification than my catadioptric scopes (per inch of aperture). Contrast is also good.
On the other hand, when I'm imaging the moon (which is most of the time) I prefer my Mewlon 250. Its longer focal length, greater light gathering power and greater potential resolution are assets for imaging.
Rick
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Rick Evans
http://www.freewebs.com/revans_01420/
"The universe is there for us to see, but it cannot be understood without learning its language -- mathematics." Galileo Galilei
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PhilCo126
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/14/05
Posts: 1674
Loc: coastline of Belgium
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Well, the "Aperture rules" idea doesn't count for the Moon as it's bright and "close by" so a smaller refractor would be fine as well 
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TS 152/1200 ( f 7.90 ) Achromatic Refractor
Saving/Looking for 180/1620 ( f 9 ) Refractor
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revans
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 1536
Loc: Fitchburg, MA
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I don't agree completely... aperture is still linked to resolution. Although the moon is bright, it isn't necessarily very bright at high power, particualrly if narrow band or even broadband filters are in use. Small apertures are OK for general low or medium power views especially in poor seeing conditions, but there is surely a benefit to larger apertures when we move to higher magnification and want to see very fine surface detail when the seeing conditions are very good. On such nights there is no comparison at all between what, for example, my 5 inch F10 SCT shows when compared to my 10 inch F12 Mewlon. Maybe however it can still be argued that a high quality 5 inch refractor is adequate at least for visual observation on most nights... but I wouldn't think of a 3 or 4 inch instrument as being quite optimal for study of really fine surface detail like the rille in the Alpine Valley...
Rick
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Rick Evans
http://www.freewebs.com/revans_01420/
"The universe is there for us to see, but it cannot be understood without learning its language -- mathematics." Galileo Galilei
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PhilCo126
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/14/05
Posts: 1674
Loc: coastline of Belgium
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Could we summarise:
Large refractor (reflector) for visual observation
SCT for lunar astro-photography
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TS 152/1200 ( f 7.90 ) Achromatic Refractor
Saving/Looking for 180/1620 ( f 9 ) Refractor
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revans
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 1536
Loc: Fitchburg, MA
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I think that for visual work a 5 inch refractor is fine and also does a pretty good job with astrophotography on most nights... but that being said I think a 6 inch would be better and is maybe the best compromise in the refractor range. The usually cited problem is that refractors give better contrast than centrally obstructed scopes but I think this really applies only to visual observation rather than to imaging. Refractors probably also hold collimation better. But, reflectors, whether SCTs or Newtonians or Dall Kirkhams etc. usually give you more aperture for the money and any of these is fine. If your seeing is only average most of the time then I don't think there is much sense exceeding a 10 or 12 inch reflector. If you have plenty of really good seeing then scopes up to 18 inches or so would be a big advantage if you want to capture really fine detail in an image, but at least in my case I doubt that seeing conditions would support such a large scope. And I sort of have the suspicion that (other things being equal) the closer to the equator you live, the higher in the sky the moon usually is and therefore the less atmosphere you are looking through. So, my instinct is that the closer to the equator you observe the more likley you are to benefit from a larger scope (but I've got to admit that I've never seen this thought mentioned in any discussions of this topic and maybe I am wrong here...)
Rick
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Rick Evans
http://www.freewebs.com/revans_01420/
"The universe is there for us to see, but it cannot be understood without learning its language -- mathematics." Galileo Galilei
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o1d_dude
o1der than dirt
Reged: 10/03/07
Posts: 2274
Loc: The TV/SV Wolfpack
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I use an 80mm refractor for my lunar observations.
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Kit
'Don’t worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky, and enjoy God’s wondrous universe.' - Thomas M Back
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revans
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 1536
Loc: Fitchburg, MA
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I know an 80 mm scope can give very good views... I used nothing but a 60 mm scope on the moon for at least five years. I'm just referring to sort of ultimate views of very subtle features requiring more aperture...
Rick
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Rick Evans
http://www.freewebs.com/revans_01420/
"The universe is there for us to see, but it cannot be understood without learning its language -- mathematics." Galileo Galilei
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will w
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/13/06
Posts: 656
Loc: oxford,ms
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my etx-105 and tv-15mm e p and a 2.5 powermate sometimes
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LesB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/20/04
Posts: 1906
Loc: Z-Hills, FL
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I use a 6" Mak.
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Life is a beer, a knife, a hone stone, and a box of Band Aids.
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SamKimpton
member
Reged: 07/02/09
Posts: 15
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8-inch F-10 Newtonian Reflector; A "Dynamax 8 Deluxe" circa 1958. Great for colorimetric work and the focal ratio makes for some good close views of features.
I am currently in the preliminary stages of restoring an old 6-inch F-10 Refractor. but this may take a while.
Edited by SamKimpton (07/05/09 05:52 AM)
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JimK
sage
Reged: 09/18/05
Posts: 311
Loc: Albuquerque, NM USA
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Welcome to CN, Sam!
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SamKimpton
member
Reged: 07/02/09
Posts: 15
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Thanks. Glad to be here.
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Stephen65
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/14/07
Posts: 940
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
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Extra aperature and thus resolution can make a significant difference provided the seeing is good.
To illustrate, two two photos, both of Agatharchides P. Both are taken with the same camera, the first through an FLT132 refractor at 4625mm FL, the second through a Mewlon 250 at 5400mm FL.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=40079&d=1205638034
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=40080&d=1205638034
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Megrez 90
FLT 132
Mewlon 250
Lots of XWs, an Ethos, Supermonos and some other EPs
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azure1961p
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 761
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I think everyones is going to answer more or less "the scope i have". That said, and it seems thta what you might have wanted to ask was - if you could own any scope for lunar - what would it be within reason?
I would have to say a long focus 12 1/2" reflector. Barring that, a Celestron 14 or any classical cass system of similar aperture.
Pete
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Edited by azure1961p (07/06/09 04:14 PM)
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Ziggy943
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/11/06
Posts: 1911
Loc: Utah
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Big refractor for the contrast and resolution! In my case the 9" Clark.
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May your skies always be clear,
Ziggy
www.slas.us
4" Mak
#1, 160mm F8 TEC (born 1-18-2007, 27 lbs, 45.5" long), on AP900
6" F17.5 (D&G lens) (first light 6-7-2008)
9" F/14.9 Alvan Clark (1915), on Byers 812
14.25 F/5.5 Newt in a roll off observatory
Others, that have come and gone
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desertstars
Please stand by...
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 35870
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
Big refractor for the contrast and resolution! In my case the 9" Clark.
You wish.
But then, don't we all? 
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Tom W.
Collinder's Catalog
Standing in a garden, contemplating the stars, and wondering how to put it all into words.
Carpe Lunam
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4658
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Uh Tom,
I think Siegfried actually does own a Alvin Clark 9" refractor, look at his equipment list.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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Ziggy943
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/11/06
Posts: 1911
Loc: Utah
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Quote:
Uh Tom,
I think Siegfried actually does own a Alvin Clark 9" refractor, look at his equipment list.
The 9" Alvan Clark is the avatar picture AD 2008 and yes, I do own it.
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May your skies always be clear,
Ziggy
www.slas.us
4" Mak
#1, 160mm F8 TEC (born 1-18-2007, 27 lbs, 45.5" long), on AP900
6" F17.5 (D&G lens) (first light 6-7-2008)
9" F/14.9 Alvan Clark (1915), on Byers 812
14.25 F/5.5 Newt in a roll off observatory
Others, that have come and gone
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azure1961p
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 761
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Ahhh then its very simple - Ziggy wishes for a 10" Clark
Pete
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desertstars
Please stand by...
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 35870
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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 That's what I get for not reading signature lines!
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Tom W.
Collinder's Catalog
Standing in a garden, contemplating the stars, and wondering how to put it all into words.
Carpe Lunam
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Ziggy943
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/11/06
Posts: 1911
Loc: Utah
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Quote:
Ahhh then its very simple - Ziggy wishes for a 10" Clark
Pete
Why 10??? 12"!!! There are a couple of 12 inchers I covet but they are not available. The 12" hanging on the Lowell 24 or the 12" in storage at Lick. They would be THE ideal lunar scopes... for me. 
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May your skies always be clear,
Ziggy
www.slas.us
4" Mak
#1, 160mm F8 TEC (born 1-18-2007, 27 lbs, 45.5" long), on AP900
6" F17.5 (D&G lens) (first light 6-7-2008)
9" F/14.9 Alvan Clark (1915), on Byers 812
14.25 F/5.5 Newt in a roll off observatory
Others, that have come and gone
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Mick Hyde
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/22/06
Posts: 1216
Loc: Swindon, UK
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My Takahashi Sky-90 with 32mm EP. A new 2-3 day old Moon looks astounding with the Earthlight.
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Mick.
http://astromick.blogspot.com http://mickhyde.googlepages.com Swindon CSC
Celestron 9.25 XLT, Takahashi SKY-90, Canon EOS 50D, DMK21AF04AS, SKYnyx 2-0M, CGE mount.
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SamKimpton
member
Reged: 07/02/09
Posts: 15
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Lets dream BIG! How about the 36-inch at Lick?
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MikeAstroHawk
Vendor - AstroHawk Corp.
Reged: 05/26/09
Posts: 42
Loc: FL
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I really liked the comment on aperture and resolution- its very much to the point. And the images help show. I wish they were on the same night... to keep seeing effects nearly the same and shadows, of course.
All of which has got me to thinking about using my same camera on the 6", 8" and 12.5" Newtonians to show the differences resolution makes. They all have homebuilt optics by me, so I know their quality well. I have found my 8 matches a 6" AP a neighbor has pretty well - seeing is usually the limiter. My 8 and 12 have about the same FL; the 6 I'll have to use a barlow with.
I'll let you know when I get a chance to do the test, it should be fun - unfortunately skies have been bad here lately.
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AstroHawk Corp.
creators of Lunar Discoverer and Lunar Pronouncer
re-Discover the Moon™
http://www.astrohawk.com
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larrytOMC200
sage
Reged: 07/05/07
Posts: 264
Loc: New Zealand
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Hi,
when I was offered a choice of telescope by my wife to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in 2005, after long consideration I plumped for the Orion Optics OMC200 mak cas telescope, it is F20 focal ratio. I have never regretted the choice as I wanted a dedicated lunar/planetary telescope. It gives enough aperture to pull in lots of detail, contrast is good and it is a surprisingly compact unit. Imaging is easy as I can often get decent images at prime focus without the use of Barlow lenses. Anyway, at the end of the day, the telescope you use the most is the best or your hobby. Keep well. Larry
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Spyke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/22/03
Posts: 2155
Loc: Scotland
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For planned sessions, my Equinox on Vixen GP, but for quicker looks from the garden, my 127 Mak on modified AZ3 does well too. The Equinox gives terrific views and really soaks up magnification, letting me get super-detailed views. The Mak can't take as much power, but it's a lighter, easier to set up kit and gives good contrast and brightness for a g'n'g setup.
Ant
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ED80, Equinox 120 (Moonlited )
GSO 8" f6 Dob (Hi-Luxed, Moonlited & Pimped!)
Skymax 127 Maksutov
Lunt LS60THa/B1200
Vixen GP, modified AZ-3, SW SupaTrak mounts
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Matt Looby
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/09/03
Posts: 828
Loc: Wadhams, NY
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... the most important requirement is that I be very relaxed while observing...
when choosing a scope I like the one that is most comfortable to use...
and that's that.
The table top 3.5 inch MCT is my favorite telescope for lunar observing...
I love the Meade ETX 3.5 and the Questar... I use a Questar 3.5 with
16 mm eyepiece ( 80-130x)...
Thanks,
Matt
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CN GALLERY
6" F/8 Newtonian
3.5" Mak-Cass
7x50 Binolux Binoculars
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davidmcgo
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/09/04
Posts: 606
Loc: San Diego, CA
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My 1965 C10, works great for seated viewing, and has a huge image scale at 3750mm efl so I can loaf along with 26mm and 21mm Plossls for great views.
Plus this old beast saw the Moon before there were flags on it...
Dave
Edited by davidmcgo (07/14/09 07:49 PM)
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RobertED
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/11/03
Posts: 1405
Loc: Johnston, RI
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I kind of like my C-11 for lunar work these days!! However, I used to have access to a 12.1" f/15 Breashear refractor located at Brown University's Ladd Observatory on the East Side of Providence!! Nothing like it!!
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moynihan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/22/03
Posts: 1665
Loc: Wisconsin
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My 127mm "white tube" all metal ETX ota. When the seeing allows, 271x, with marvelous clarity and subtle tonalities.
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"Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here"
Dual mount/ambient temperature Hominid Widefield Photon Collectors®
Pleistocene™ ½ watt Wetware Integration Unit.
entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem
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Paul G
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/08/03
Posts: 2475
Loc: Freedonia
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Astro-Physics 254mm f14.6 Mak-Cass on a 900 GTO mount. Minimum 1/10 wave (system), 23% central obstruction, coma-free, permanently collimated, sophisticated design with attention to thermal control results in typical cooldown times of 15-30 minutes, the mirror retains its figure while cooling, butter-smooth focuser with no image shift and no need for focuser lock for photography, and antireflection coatings you have to (not) see to believe. Although it was designed as an ultimate lunar/planetary scope, its superb contrast makes it an excellent, albeit narrow field, deep sky scope as well. Stick a Baader MkV and Zeiss Abbe orthos in it and it just screams on the planets and the moon.
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Gus
Tasco 4.5 Reflector EQ Telescope
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moondude
newbie
Reged: 02/21/09
Posts: 4
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I use an 89mm Mak.
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pennyandchris
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/30/07
Posts: 678
Loc: Horsham, England
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My 5.5" Mak is good for both visual and photographic use on the Moon, and will when seeing permits allow 'silly' magnifications.
The Ranger is great for quick looks using an alt-az at up to about 70x, and when mounted securely on the LXD75 works really well with a 3-6 Nagler on the Moon.
I wouldn't swap either.
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Orion UK OMC140 Mak Cass
TeleVue Ranger
Coronado Ha and CaK PSTs
Meade LXD75 mount
Ambermile alt-az mount on wooden surveyors tripod
Manfrotto 074 photo tripod with 501 head
+ various binocs
Edited by pennyandchris (07/30/09 03:38 AM)
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SATMAN
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 324
Loc: NJ 39.7 lat., -74.3 long
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Questar 3.5 on Tristand or My Brandon 94 APO on a Vixen Porta Mount , The moon is great thru the Questar Most used eyepiece on the Questar 16mm Brandon
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CELESTRON/VIXEN C102 GP REFRACTOR
CELESTRON SUPER C8 PLUS
VIXEN 90 CUSTOM REFRACTOR ALTAZ. MOUNT
QUESTAR 3.5 STANDARD POWER GUIDE II ON TRISTAND
CORONADO PST DOUBLE STACKED
BRANDON 94mm f/7 ON VIXEN POLARIS MOUNT
VINTAGE ORANGE TUBE C-90 ASTRO (CIRCA 1978)
VIXEN PORTA MOUNT, QUARTER HALF HITCH MOUNT
BRANDON EYEPIECE SET (circa 1986) 8,12,16,24,32, 2.4X DAKIN BARLOW
VARIOUS NAGLERS 3-6 ZOOM,7,9,11,13,16,24PANOPTIC
ETHOS 6mm, 10mm
ZEISS 10X40B/GA T*P* BINOCULARS
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mwedel
sage
Reged: 12/16/07
Posts: 336
Loc: Claremont, CA
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My thinking on this changed this spring. Up until a few months ago I was all about piling on the aperture and magnification. "Piling on the aperture" has limited meaning here, since my Big Gun is only a 6" Dob. But it has a good mirror and gets me in pretty close.
Then I read Leslie Peltier's Starlight Nights--which I would make everyone read if I could--and he changed my mind. I'll let the man speak for himself (p. 60):
Quote:
I feel quite sure that I first viewed the moon in my small scope with just as much incredible delight as Galileo did in his. It is true that I had seen photographs of the moon and therefore had some vague idea of what its appearance would be like, but I still was wholly unprepared for all the wonders which I found on that first night as I explored the lunar surface. No photograph has yet been made which is not cold and flat and dead when compared with the scenes that meet one's eyes when the moon is viewed through even a small telescope.
From an aesthetic sense, at least, it takes a small telescope and low powers to do full justice to the moon. While it is often possible to utilize the very highest powers of the scope to ferret out some small detail of cleft or craterlet, it is only when the entire moon fits comfortably within the field of view that she is at her dramatic best. Only when one sees some empty space about her does she seem to float suspended in the sky like the neighbor world she is. This is the way I always saw her in my 2-inch telescope.
Now, if the seeing is steady I am not above pulling out the Dob to go after the craterlets in Plato or Catena Davy, or to trace some rille or scarp I've never followed from one end to the other. But ever since I read that I have leavened my high-power viewing--which is usually a Feature Hunt, with its attendant preparation and rewards--with a lot of low-power viewing, which I spend just relaxing and taking it all in. Of course other observers may find that things work differently or even oppositely for them--perhaps "flying" over the surface at high power as a relaxing way to contemplate the moon.
I suppose part of it has to do with IYA2009. I've been thinking a lot about early stargazers from Galileo to Leslie Peltier and how much they accomplished with equipment which by today's standards was laughably modest. As one who suffers from occasional bouts of Aperture Fever and New Gear Sweats, it is nice to switch off every mental circuit connected to achievement, competition, and the acquisition of material goods, sit down in the driveway with my little Mak at its lowest practical power, and just spend a while gazing at the moon and letting the crazy seep out.
Clear, moonlit skies!
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desertstars
Please stand by...
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 35870
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Tom W.
Collinder's Catalog
Standing in a garden, contemplating the stars, and wondering how to put it all into words.
Carpe Lunam
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Ziggy943
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/11/06
Posts: 1911
Loc: Utah
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That is a goody!! 
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May your skies always be clear,
Ziggy
www.slas.us
4" Mak
#1, 160mm F8 TEC (born 1-18-2007, 27 lbs, 45.5" long), on AP900
6" F17.5 (D&G lens) (first light 6-7-2008)
9" F/14.9 Alvan Clark (1915), on Byers 812
14.25 F/5.5 Newt in a roll off observatory
Others, that have come and gone
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astrodon
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 1824
Loc: Hillsboro, OR, USA
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12.5" f/4.5 dob, got to love how it shows the wrinkle ridges on the Mare.
If it's a quick look then the Tasco 3" f/15.75. Keeps everything grey.
These are over the 7" f/15 Mak beast. I guess I just like to push the scope and twiddle knobs.
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Putting Tasco Refractors back on their mounts one scope at a time!
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HellsKitchen
sage
Reged: 09/05/08
Posts: 443
Loc: Melbourne Australia
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my 12" dob. Aside from burning my eyes out, it provides great lunar views, I've seen 8 craterlets in Plato with it. But if the moon is up, I don't bother lugging the 12 incher outside, its just too much work and the seeing is likely *BLEEP* anyway.
Although for moon and planet-only viewing, I've got my 5" Mak reserved for that as it's easy to chuck out the door in one hand at a moments notice......only thing missing is the mount 
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S 38º 00' E 145º20'
http://sabastronomy.webs.com/
Custom 12" F/4.6 dob
10" GSO dob
Intes M500 Mak
Skywatcher 120x600mm refractor
Set of Vixen LVWs + TV barlows + powermates
Astronomik 0III, UHC, H-beta filters
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mypontiac
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1110
Loc: Austin, Tx.
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I have a CPC 1100 and a recently purchased NP 101.
I was viewing the moon the other day with the 101 using a 10mm Ethos (also recently purchased) and then added a 2.5x Powermate.
The views were awsome. Clear and detailed. The moon filled the EP and was clearly visible using the Ethos alone.
Very impressive.
After reading the posts I can't wait to see how the Ethos performs in the 1100!
Sean
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3963
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I haven't posted (or even lurked!) on the Lunar forum for a while... I need to get back here! In my 3-1/2 years in astronomy, I've learned- the two things that I enjoy viewing most are the sun- and the moon. There's more detail of interest on our two neighbors than anything else. My favorite scope for lunar use? A 4.25" Delmarva Schiefspiegler I built. Unobstructed optics= fantastic contrast; only mirrors= perfect color/no color correction issues; f/27= high power with simple eyepieces. Favorites= Orion Ultrascopics 20/15/10mm. A Vixen Polaris keeps it on target.
Unobstructed mirrored optics are really a fantastic way to observe the lunar surface. I'm surprised more people aren't exploring these scopes.
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Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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deSitter
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/09/04
Posts: 3338
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Gets my vote for the finest amateur scope ever made!
-drl
Quote:
Astro-Physics 254mm f14.6 Mak-Cass on a 900 GTO mount. Minimum 1/10 wave (system), 23% central obstruction, coma-free, permanently collimated, sophisticated design with attention to thermal control results in typical cooldown times of 15-30 minutes, the mirror retains its figure while cooling, butter-smooth focuser with no image shift and no need for focuser lock for photography, and antireflection coatings you have to (not) see to believe. Although it was designed as an ultimate lunar/planetary scope, its superb contrast makes it an excellent, albeit narrow field, deep sky scope as well. Stick a Baader MkV and Zeiss Abbe orthos in it and it just screams on the planets and the moon.
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deSitter
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/09/04
Posts: 3338
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My 4.5" Newtonian with utterly perfect optics. It handles 100x per inch of aperture - the limit is in my ability to deal with a pinpoint exit pupil. I have never seen any optic as perfect - the diffraction pattern looks like the output of Aberrator. With this scope I just gaze for hours hither and thither, from the limb to the terminator to the midlands, and a vast tableau of details emerges no matter where it points. I can see the Alpine Valley rille - amazing performance for a 4.5". Last night I saw the tiny craters around the Apollo 11 landing site. Hypatia Rille looked like an expressway from an airplane. At f/8 collimation is a breeze. Eventually I will put the optics in a first class tube with a good focuser but the "Meade" name plate will follow it.
My 10" f/4.5 gives magnificent views but is plagued when the seeing is not perfect. So the 4.5" gets the nod, hits a home run every time up.
-drl
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ngc2289
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/13/05
Posts: 1921
Loc: SouthTexas
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This is the scope I like to use for Lunar viewing. A Meade AR5. I changed out the focuser for a Crayford. Picture 1.
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Mike Traub(Mr. Congeniality): I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!:Shipfitters mottos; Cut to suit, pound to fit, paint to hide!: If it dosen't fit get a bigger hammer!......Retired and BROKE!!!!!Refractors are like a fine wine!They just get better with age!!!!!! :SV102ED with Moonlite triknob focuser(Light Hawk):80mm f/11.25 homemade refractor(Sapphire):3" f/10 home made Newt:PST: Vixen Porta II Alt-Az mount:Vixen green version GP .
Edited by ngc2289 (09/10/09 12:13 AM)
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ngc2289
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/13/05
Posts: 1921
Loc: SouthTexas
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A picture of the focuser. I changed out the focusing tube with one I made by hand. The focuser works OK and was much cheaper then buying a new focuser.
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Mike Traub(Mr. Congeniality): I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!:Shipfitters mottos; Cut to suit, pound to fit, paint to hide!: If it dosen't fit get a bigger hammer!......Retired and BROKE!!!!!Refractors are like a fine wine!They just get better with age!!!!!! :SV102ED with Moonlite triknob focuser(Light Hawk):80mm f/11.25 homemade refractor(Sapphire):3" f/10 home made Newt:PST: Vixen Porta II Alt-Az mount:Vixen green version GP .
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deSitter
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/09/04
Posts: 3338
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Hey how did you do the letter transfer to the tube??
-drl
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ngc2289
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/13/05
Posts: 1921
Loc: SouthTexas
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That is a decal from Alien Graphix Astronomy Decals.
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Mike Traub(Mr. Congeniality): I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!:Shipfitters mottos; Cut to suit, pound to fit, paint to hide!: If it dosen't fit get a bigger hammer!......Retired and BROKE!!!!!Refractors are like a fine wine!They just get better with age!!!!!! :SV102ED with Moonlite triknob focuser(Light Hawk):80mm f/11.25 homemade refractor(Sapphire):3" f/10 home made Newt:PST: Vixen Porta II Alt-Az mount:Vixen green version GP .
Edited by ngc2289 (09/10/09 02:30 AM)
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jnewton
super member
Reged: 12/20/07
Posts: 118
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CPC 1100 with Onxy 80 EDF piggybacked. Great high power views with the C11 and the 80 mm to frame things up.
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BSJ
super member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 116
Loc: Grand Isle, VT
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My 10" Dob! I thought it was cool in my ST80.
On a lark decided to try the 10". WOW! 300x was crazy fun.
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Brian S. Johnson
________________
Celestron C6-XLT,Zhumell Z10D, Orion ST80,
8-24mm Hyperion Zoom
8mm, 17mm, 21mm Baader Hyperion 14mm & 28mm Fine Tune Rings
OPT OIII, Baader Fringe killer, Baader Moon & Sky Glow
Nikon 10x50 Action Extreme
StarDust Observing Chair
Astro-Tech Voyager Mount
AstroZap Dew strip/Shield for the C6
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Sarkikos
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/18/07
Posts: 1728
Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA
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My favorite scope for lunar viewing is probably my 10" Newt Dob with a binoviewer and a #47 Violet filter. The views are very detailed at 300X. That is my preferred high magnification. If the seeing is excellent I may bump it up to about 400x, but that is my limit. Anything more than that and the floaters in my eyes are sheer torture, though the binoviewer and Violet filter help.
Someday I may take out my 8" Newt mounted on a CG5 with dual drives, also using a binoviewer and Violet filter. It would be great not to have to nudge the scope to follow the Moon. But a fairly big Newt on a GEM is not something I really want to drag out to the yard. A Dob is much, much easier.
I have to give honorable mention to my 90mm Mak. It's my favorite grab-n-go Lunar scope. However, my enjoyment peters out at about 150x with this scope. But a quick look at the Moon using lower mags can be very pleasant.
My C4-R is also a good lunar scope. Sadly, though, it hasn't seen much use for many moons. I should probably sell it.
Clear Skies,
Mike
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C10-NGT on 1stBase (DSO); Z8, Bosma 6" f12 MCT (NSO); 6" f5 Newt, 4.5" f4.4 Ball (Handheld RF w/GLP); C4-R, 130ST (NSO/RF/DS); 90mm f13 MCT (Luna/DS); ST80+Crayford (RF/DS); SkyMaster 25x100/15x70; Zhumell 20x80; Barska XWA 10x50/8x40 (9.5°!); CV 2.3x40 (26°!); BV-125C; CG5, CG4 (2d); SV AZ, 501HDV on 055XB, P+ on Oberwerk; QuikFinder, Telrad; 11x70 RACI Finder; Dynamo Pro, Dew-Not; Orion 5-Filter Wheel; ES 14 100°, Baader Zoom, Baader GO 9mm, Plossls, Orthos, Kellners; Barlows, Reducers
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Sarkikos
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/18/07
Posts: 1728
Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA
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Wait a minute! I keep forgetting about my 6" Mak. I really should try that out on the Moon! It would probably do a great job, not too heavy, easy to set up on a driven GEM. But that long cool-down period always makes me think twice about bringing the big Mak out. Maybe it's time I sold it as well as the 4" refractor? 
Mike
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C10-NGT on 1stBase (DSO); Z8, Bosma 6" f12 MCT (NSO); 6" f5 Newt, 4.5" f4.4 Ball (Handheld RF w/GLP); C4-R, 130ST (NSO/RF/DS); 90mm f13 MCT (Luna/DS); ST80+Crayford (RF/DS); SkyMaster 25x100/15x70; Zhumell 20x80; Barska XWA 10x50/8x40 (9.5°!); CV 2.3x40 (26°!); BV-125C; CG5, CG4 (2d); SV AZ, 501HDV on 055XB, P+ on Oberwerk; QuikFinder, Telrad; 11x70 RACI Finder; Dynamo Pro, Dew-Not; Orion 5-Filter Wheel; ES 14 100°, Baader Zoom, Baader GO 9mm, Plossls, Orthos, Kellners; Barlows, Reducers
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