5 replies to this topic

[gorgoth0]

Hey there everyone,

 

I bought a high spec L3 WP unfilmed PVS-14 a few months ago, and have been loving it. Looking up at the night sky through it is awesome, but last night, my partner and I were up at a cabin in a bortle 3 area and lucked out with a clear sky. We were able to see the milky way, as well as Andromeda, and it was incredible and made me realize I wanted to see more!

 

After combing through the forums, I saw one of Edgie's posts, and went ahead and bought the recommended 3x magnifier (the conical one, not the stepped one) and the corresponding rings/adapters from RAF, per his post. I figure it's an easier way to dip my toes into night vision astronomy without having to buy a telescope- easy to set up, portable, sounded perfect for my use case.

 

That being said, as a total novice with absolutely no knowledge of astronomy, the part I'm still totally lost on is what filters should I start out with? From what I can tell, it sounds like I probably want a h-alpha filter of some sort, to better see nebulae and the milky way (what else is cool to look at under an h-alpha filter?) All I know is I believe I am looking for 1.25" filters, per the RAF adapter I purchased. So any recs for specific 1.25" h-alpha filters?

 

What about longpass filters? Are those mostly for observation in areas with light pollution? For the record, I live in a bortle 5 area, with easy access to bortle 4/3. Would I benefit from a longpass filter or any other filters, given that level of light pollution?

 

Any other tips or guidance for a beginner would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[WheezyGod]

Hey there everyone,

I bought a high spec L3 WP unfilmed PVS-14 a few months ago, and have been loving it. Looking up at the night sky through it is awesome, but last night, my partner and I were up at a cabin in a bortle 3 area and lucked out with a clear sky. We were able to see the milky way, as well as Andromeda, and it was incredible and made me realize I wanted to see more!

After combing through the forums, I saw one of Edgie's posts, and went ahead and bought the recommended 3x magnifier (the conical one, not the stepped one) and the corresponding rings/adapters from RAF, per his post. I figure it's an easier way to dip my toes into night vision astronomy without having to buy a telescope- easy to set up, portable, sounded perfect for my use case.

That being said, as a total novice with absolutely no knowledge of astronomy, the part I'm still totally lost on is what filters should I start out with? From what I can tell, it sounds like I probably want a h-alpha filter of some sort, to better see nebulae and the milky way (what else is cool to look at under an h-alpha filter?) All I know is I believe I am looking for 1.25" filters, per the RAF adapter I purchased. So any recs for specific 1.25" h-alpha filters?

What about longpass filters? Are those mostly for observation in areas with light pollution? For the record, I live in a bortle 5 area, with easy access to bortle 4/3. Would I benefit from a longpass filter or any other filters, given that level of light pollution?

Any other tips or guidance for a beginner would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

I would get a 642nm filter for great handheld views of the MW. This will probably be the cheapest filter you get for NV. This may give you better MW views at your bortle 5 home vs. the bortle 3 site you went to without filters.

You’ll also want to get a 1.25in ha filter between 2.5nm - 7nm. I give a range because everyone’s preferences are different. In heavy LP (bortle 8/9) most prefer something around 2.5nm/3nm. For me personally, I wish I got a 3nm instead of the 5nm I have in bortle 5/6 skies. Perhaps you can order a 3nm and a 7nm and then return the one you like less.

If you get a telescope then you’ll definitely want to get a 2in ha filter.

[gorgoth0]

Would this be a good option to start with?

 

https://www.highpoin...d-mounted-ha6-1

 

From what I've read, I'm guessing I'll get more use out of a 6/7nm ha than a 3nm, given my fairly dark skies.

 

Thoughts?

 

EDIT: And for a 642nm, would this be a good option?

 

https://www.highpoin...xBoCCrAQAvD_BwE

Edited by gorgoth0, 16 July 2024 - 09:43 AM.

[Mazerski]

The (Astronomik) 642 allows quite a bit of nebulosity to seep thru which allows seeing the Milky Way clouds in hand-held mode (~ 3-5x works well). The 642 is also good for scope use with some (not all) emission nebula. Examples that look good with 642 are M42, 57, 17, 20, NGC40 and the Eskimo (note: the 642 view vs. Ha view is different in that the 642 view is brighter with a lot more stars visible but not as much nebulosity. The Ha view shows a dark view with some stars and bright nebulosity)

 

My skies are brighter that yours and the Ha filter I use the most is the Astronomik 6nm. 

 

I was a guest to 2 observers outside Prescott AZ and it was dark ( I don’t know the B value or SQM #) and was told the Baader 685 nm IR was not needed. Of course I tried it anyway and it wasn’t needed. Under heavy LP it is a requirement. 
 

[WheezyGod]

Would this be a good option to start with?

https://www.highpoin...d-mounted-ha6-1

From what I've read, I'm guessing I'll get more use out of a 6/7nm ha than a 3nm, given my fairly dark skies.

Thoughts?

EDIT: And for a 642nm, would this be a good option?

https://www.highpoin...xBoCCrAQAvD_BwE

Yea I think they’re the only option I’ve come across for 642nm. Higher than that there’s more options, but then you’ve nuked seeing Ha.

For a 1.25in Ha filter, I’d get something like the two below filters and return the one you dislike. I’d spend a bit of time with both since your impression after a few sessions with a Ha filter might be different than your initial look. There’s definitely a bit of a split here on something like a 3nm at light polluted sites and lowish LP sites vs. something like a 6/7nm for lowish LP sites.

https://agenaastro.c...25-mounted.html
https://agenaastro.c...ccd-filter.html

At my bortle 5/6 site, I borrowed someone else’s 3.5nm filter and much preferred that over the 6.5nm I had which were both from the same brand. There was a little more noise, but I could see quite a bit more nebulosity.

[Speedy1985]

For h-alpha I use both a 6.5 nm Baader and 3.5 Antlia in my Bortle 8 yard. With less light pollution like your B3/4, I don’t think you’ll need one as aggressive as the 3.5. If I recall, some said you may be able to use a 12nm at darker sites. So in my opinion, a 6-7nm would be a good starting point for both locations. 
 

For 642 long pass, I use a Lumicon Night Sky and I get nice views of the Milky Way at 3x. The problem might be finding one as Farpoint is about kaput as far as a trustworthy vendor now.