Anyone ever looked at M13(The Great Cluster in Hercules) or M31(Andromeda Galaxy) through an amateur telescope, say 16 inches or less? I own an 8" reflector and there is something about these two objects that are just amazing to me. All the scattered pin-point stars and the faintness of them makes me feel like a kid again. Sure, you can see stunning Hubble images all day long. But to just stare at these objects with you own eyes for moments at time is magical. Of course there are countless amazing objects to look at, but these are two of my favorites. I highly recommend checking them out.

Mike

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I know what you mean Michael. Quite different gazing at the sky with the naked eye than with computers. Doesn't mind if you only have a small telescope. Has much more magic to it!

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rOZZ
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Hi Chris.

You can see both!

Andromeda can been seen with the naked eye in dark skies, though no detail really. Just a 'faint blob', but pretty cool anyway.

The Great Cluster In Hercules should be visible through your scope. Give it a try.

Good eyepieces can help a lot. Some of my eyepieces cost almost as much as my scope.

Mike

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Some of my eyepieces cost almost as much as my scope.

Lost a couple when moving:( Good binoculars are great too, to look at the Pleijades or the Moon. One time I could see the poles on Mars with my best binoculars. I have 3 of them:)

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rOZZ
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Those must be great binocs. I can barely see any details on Mars with my 8" scope. I haven't looked at Mars yet with my better Televue EPs I just got.

Mike

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Those must be great binocs. I can barely see any details on Mars with my 8" scope. I haven't looked at Mars yet with my better Televue EPs I just got.

Mike

I remember it was a very clear night, Mars being in its closest position to the Earth in years, I made drawings of it as well:)

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rOZZ
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That is awesome! Uranus is the furthest planet I've seen with a scope. Pale blue small dot, but bigger than a star.

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I am thankful for the images that we can see on the internet. When I was young I had a small telescope but when I moved away from my parents home my Mom gave it away. Later and during my working years I wanted to buy a good telescope with automatic tracking but other needs always left me without the resources to buy one.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

i gazing to m13 and m31 in a 100 and 200mm telescope, and not be very impressed.
m31 do not show almost any details, and m13 is too faint for me. some months ago i go a 12" reflector, and there must be another level - in spring, when m13 been available for me, i try to see them in new scope. look at m31, but there is very important to get very transparent atmosphere conditions - who is rare in our climat, sadly.
about mars - also not see any interesting views. but on planet viewing also atmosphere stability play general role.
but in general - 3 planets never disappoint - saturn, jupiter, and moon :)
telescopic views rules ! :)

P.S. i have my "old" 8" orion optics 200f6 telescope on dobsonian mount for sale ( 270 eur) , if any is interested in...;)

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