Well, I wanted to create a list of objects all of which were "Wow!" objects in my notes (I started with my log of over 11K objects).
It got whittled down to about 2000 objects, and observing some very faint ones with the small Maksutov, I decided to set the bar higher.
So 2000 became about 900 objects.
Over a couple years of going back and viewing them all with the small Maksutov, I slowly whittled the list down until I got close to 500.
When the list got to that size, I realized I had a list I could hand my wife at star parties and know she could see them all.
So I went back and filled in common names, and distances, and other details.
Indirectly, I ended up with a pretty good handful of objects that were faint, but otherwise interesting (like the two fainter companions of M31,
NGC147 and NGC185, which most people don't know about), or Barnard's Galaxy in Sagittarius, which is easily seen in 4-6", but sometimes
tough in larger scopes because of increased magnification.
What I chose not to do was to note the magnification I though was best for the object. I thought that was too subjective.
The star clusters were all the easiest objects, so that's where I'd start if I were a beginner.
Most of the planetaries are bright though a few are very small if sought with very low powers.
The observer in light pollution will find the galaxies and nebulae hardest, though I've viewed this entire list with my 4" refractor in moderate LP (green zone),
so not totally impossible.
I would advise trying something and then, if not easily seen, coming back to it later when the skies are more transparent or when at a darker site.
Edited by Starman1, 05 November 2014 - 10:32 AM.