Astronomy questions
Sorry, I’m not that knowledgeable about different eye piece/filter etc. configurations. I inherited a polarizing filter with the telescope and that’s about it. It depends a lot on what you plan to be viewing. I think for a good view of something like the Great Red Spot a filter would help immensely though. Here’s some really simple (I go for simple! [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] )filter info from the Amateur Astronomy Association:
A BLUE filter, such as a Wratten #44A, 47B or 80A, can be used for the detection of high altitude clouds on Mars, white ovals and spots in the belts of Jupiter, and the zones of the clouds of Saturn. It can also be used to cut down glare on a bright Moon.
A GREEN filter,such as a Wratten #58, allows you to see more clearly the edges of the Martian polar caps, and enhances the belts and Great Red Spot in the clouds of Jupiter.
A YELLOW filter, such as a Wratten #8, 12, or 15, can improve markings in the clouds of Venus and enhance Martian dust storms.
An ORANGE filter, such as a Wratten #21, is one of the more useful ones you can have. It is used for bringing out detail on Mars, and enhancing some of the zonal detail on Jupiter. An orange filter also darkens the blue sky, so daytime observations of Jupiter, Venus, and the Moon are much improved.
A RED filter, such as a Wratten #23A, 25, or 25A, can also be used to enhance contrast on
Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. A red filter, however, is fairly dark, so it works best on larger aperture telescopes which give brighter images. Flipping back and forth between red and blue filters can sometimes bring out subtle colorations on the Moon.
A POLARIZING filter can cut down glare when observing a nearly full Moon, making it easier to see ray structure. It will also cut down day-time glare.
LIGHT POLLUTION and O-III filters are good for planetary and emission nebulae.
Sites like Astronomy mag (www.astronomy.com/forums) and space.com have forums where you can ask specific questions like that–I’m sure there’s similar UK sites as well. I haven’t seen the Great Red spot yet–but Saturn’s rings always give me a thrill. There’s something about them….. Right now I have a great view of Jupiter this time of night–but also a full moon and cold weather and I’m basically a wimp. [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
elmey