I just bought a new 130mm reflector, and the first night I was trying it, i had been looking at the stars and Saturn. After an hour, the moon had popped up, and I swing the scope onto it. I had to pull my eye away from the scope, and it was similar to when you quickly stare at the sun, just with your eyes, not thru a scope. I was rubbing my eye for ages, and I had a bright spot in my vision for around 15 mins. Another great vid m8.
Excellent Jason. I love the way you don't bother to edit out any slight accidents that may occur during your filming ! You are perfectly imperfect, just like the rest of us. It's one of the charms of your channel. You've taught me something new, as always. I used to see the moon as my enemy, like a 100 watt lightbulb messing up my Bortle 5 sky ! I've changed my point of view.... Thanks. Keep helping us newbies out.
Hello Flyfisher. Thank my friend really nice of you to say, very much appreciated. Yes get yourself a good moon filter and start loving the Moon again. Take care, clear skies :)
I agree with you completely. I don't need a polished video as long as the information is accurate. Also when the filter fell out his laugh was so warm and genuine it made me laugh. Glad the filter wasn't damaged.
I agree with you completely. I don't need a polished video as long as the information is accurate. Also when the filter fell out his laugh was so warm and genuine it made me laugh. Glad the filter wasn't damaged.
I like your videos! Fun fact. Staring at the moon through telescope (even large aperture) is less bright than staring at the side of a white building during the day when the sun is reflecting off of it. The main difference is exactly as you described. Being dark adapted makes your eyes up to 100 million times more sensitive to light than they are during the day. Sensory overload happens but does no real damage to your eyes. (some people actually claim to "feel pain" due to this defensive reaction and are afraid it is damaging their eyes, when in fact it is perfectly safe) Some astronomers prefer to just let their eyes de-dark-adapt (it takes time) - and this gets you past the "defensive mode" you speak of here. At that point, you can resolve even finer details than you would with a filter blocking some of the light and reducing detail in the darker/shaded areas of the moons surface.
Nice one Jason, another great episode on the gravity demonstration channel lol I always point folks towards the polarising variety of Moon filter, and splitting it between the diagonal and eyepiece is a great hack!
Hey Chris, Thanks pal. Hahaha bloody gravity, it's going to cost me a fortune one day lol... Thats what made me want to buy a polarising filter just so I could do the hack :D Cheers Chris.
I have to agree, a great TH-camr who really helps with beginners as he can focus on the beginners stage in a lot of detail. Thumbs up from me, clear skies! 🌌🔭
Mak 127 > polarising filter set up at both ends of the diagonal and you're off :) Spent the other night with a map and an 8mm eyepiece i and just spotting craters and valley in and around the Mare Serenitatis! I love to pick certain areas of the moon (depending on illumination) and just study...
Totally agree, very important point! One of my first views of the moon was with a 6" SCT during a full moon, and that view was downright painful! I couldn't look at it for more than a few seconds. A little $20 moon filter fixed that right up.
Thank you jason for this helpful (and funny😂) video, I’ll definitely order a polarizing filter soon. Btw i love this channel because it’s dedicated to beginners astronomers just like me 👍🏻 keep up the good work
Hi Jason - when I went to Egypt I saw loads of stars through the same telescope I have now - I was wondering what eye piece you think would be best to see galaxies?? I have a Celestron 8SE - amazing but not getting the result I want - thank you all!! Jason, keep putting videos on - they help so much and you know so much its insane!! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge
Thank you for putting me right with best filter to use the moon. Never liked the green filter and just viewed the moon without any filter at all. Looking forward to viewing with a polarizing filter, which I hope will stop me squinting like a Cheshire cat.
Great insight for addressing the filters on several eye pieces 👍 I wear glasses hence I use an optician for my prescription changes . My optician is gracious enough to make tinted lens for my telescope for a few extra dollars 👍
I love the idea of splitting the filter for the 'eyepiece-spin-trick' but here's my question: I have an 8" dobsonian with a 2" eyepiece holder but all my powerfull eyepieces are 1,24 I use with an adapter. So do you think it would work if I bought 1 of each (2"+1,25") variable filters so I can screw the 2" filter on the adapter and the 1'25" on the eyepiece? Because this is just the greatest hack EVER Love your videos by the way
Howdy there Jason. Just came across this very fun and informative video on crusing the Big Dipper. I just got my push to system working half AZ and ALT. WORKING OK. Found m101 with no problem. Only problem is my alt.decoder is 1 degree low😂. It puts objects in the field of view constantly though. Have bin hunting that elusive owl for sometime now. Will give it a go with or without a battery for my reader. Take care and clear skys from da bayous.
Great vid. Bugger!!! The only moon filter that was available locally was a green moon filter. I guess that I will have to have an eBay fix to buy a polarizing filter. Are there good and bad brands of Polarizing filters? Regards, Jas. VK4FJGS Rocky Qld.
Thank you Jason very helpful, what is also good to know is, if you have a 100 mm acramatic refractor which is generally 1000 mm focal length or F10, and you remove the centrepiece of your dust cover as Jason has shown you depending on the diameter of the hole you increase the f ratio of your telescope, the ideal ratio for an acramatic refractor to remove false colour is an F-15, the false colour increases when the ratio decreases, this is also known as a fast telescope or a slow telescope, fast being F5 slow being F10 upwords, if you have an F10 refractor and the centre whole is around 75 mm you now have an f13 refractor, which reduces the false colour, if you have a 66 mm centre whole you now have an F-15 refractor, which eliminates all false colour, it is interesting to use different centre holes to see how the false colour reduces, apart from viewing the moon as Jason has said, to see the effect it has on the planets that you are observing giving it a more pleasing view, you may see more detailed reducing the colour even though aperture is also reduced, if you don't have a dust cover with a removable centrepiece then you can easily make one out of cardboard, and you can make the whole any size you desire, but make sure it is black and flat black not gloss black it is less reflective, this would be perhaps a fun thing to try to enhance your scoping pleasure of the planets and also of double stars which really stand out when false colour is removed when using high powers, happy scoping,🤗
Great video. Loved the tip about separating the variable. I would just hold the variable on top of the eyepiece, set it to my preferance and then screw it back on the eyepiece but your tip is much better. Thank you from Ontario Canada. A Coronation Street fan. Shhhhh :-)
Hello friend, thank you and you more than welcome... Ha ha ha, Yes, Corrie is very popular here, don't care for it much myself but my girlfriend never misses an episode.
The sudden light actually bleaches out the rhodopsin (visual purple) to a great extent. The only thing you can do is filter it out the intense light before it happens or - sadly - wait to fully night adapt again (which can take from 30 to 45 minutes).
Hi, Thanks for this Info! I was dreaming all my life about and i bought today my first Teleskop Dobson 152/1200. Omegon bariable pollfilter too. And yeah every single Item was risky, because i have no clue about. Yes i read something, i watch videos, but practically… i never used a Teleskop yet. Im 37 now and im ready to start. Im happy to get now something like confirmation, that this peace for 50€ will be Worth 😀 🥳 I like your videos. Understandable with lot of Passion. Greeting from German Black Forest
That's great information. I think that with much online content being directed at deep sky astronomy, it's a shame we have lost some appreciation of our nearest celestial neighbor. I like the adjustable polarising filter, it certainly looks like the ideal moon filter solution for any aperture and eyepiece.
Ok then I will get a filter. At least I have my burlow T adapter ready with a T ring so I can observe the moon with my nikon until then. Not optimal but I get to take pics (hopefully). Your videos provide great information!
Hey Jason. To be completely honest, I don’t mind not using a filter. My eyes are always fully dark adapted before looking at the moon, and unless it’s a full moon or nearly there’s I’m ok with viewing it without a filter. I have a pretty good filter, and it just makes the moon more dramatic and darker, nothing spectacular. Personal preference I guess. Also, I was afraid you weren’t going to drop your eyepiece (or something else for that matter). You did!! Great video as always Jason 😆
If the dust cover hole is in the middle, doesn't that reduce the resolving power of your scope because you are effectively turning your 8" scope (or whatever size it is) to a smaller size, depending on the size of the hole - say 3". You might as well be observing the moon with a 3" scope. I surmise that is why the larger dust cover has two holes that are not in the center - you still get some of the advantages of the larger diameter objective along with cutting down on light.
have to agree, eg rather than spending lots of time explaining the theory behind the advantages of a moon filter, show 2 pics (with and without a moon filter)
I love your videos, they are such a good introduction to astronomy. I didn't fully understand collimation until I saw one of your videos :). I also bought the red line 68 eyepieces based on your review. I do have one point as feedback. When mentioning the aperture stops, please add that it limits the resolution. So it may be OK for viewing the full moon, but not so much about high power views of craters and such.
Great video jay yet again. You have grown so fast. I remember when you first started this TH-cam channel and now look how many subscribers you have. Every comment you get is always positive and it just shows you how much everyone appreciates all the hard work you put in. Keep up the good work 🙌
@lonniepaulson7031: Yes, so-called "moon filters" are actually ND filters. I got a free one with my telescope and it makes a slight difference / improvement.
Hey Jason, i dont believe you will respond to this because I am 2 years late. But basically, i have a 5,5 inch dob and I want to get a Neutral density filter. Im wondering what level I should get, like nd1 nd2 nd3 etc. You said medium for a 5 inch telescope but im not exactly sure ehat that means. Great and very helpful videos by the way!
I never knew that filters were this important ! I think I will buy one because i don’t have one yet😅.and do polarizing filters work for planets such as Jupiter and Saturn because Jupiter is too bright…
Hello Basman, Yes, the difference they make when viewing the moon is quite something... Adjustable polarizing filters are good all rounders so yes they will work great even for some of the brighter targets such as Jupiter :)
That nearly transparent violet colored filter you showed in the beginning of the video is not for looking AT the moon, it is for looking at other objects with a bit more contrast because it reduces glow in the sky caused by the moon, as well as natural skyglow, and just a tad of reduction in light pollution, but not nearly as much as a broadband light pollution/nebula filter does. Since it is called a moon+sky glow filter, many like yourself, and even less knowledgeable dealers such as astromania, think is a moon filter and hence describe it wrong. This filter was introduced by baader a few decades ago. for a long time they were the only company making them. Since they used neodynium doped glass to make them, they were called the neodynium moon and sky glow filter. Which is also the base for the contrast booster and semi apo filters. Now there are much cheaper generic ones that are just a little different, and I am not sure if they use neodynium since it is not specified and the violet hue is a bit darker than the baader. They also act as RGB intensifiers, and are great for seeing details on jupiter, and the contrast booster version, which has a yellow tint to help chromatic abberation in achromats, is actually one of the best mars filters in any type of scope. Savvy astronomers discovered that when you stack a neodynium filter with a standard fringe killer, it still corrected chromatic abberation but with a closer to natural hue unlike the yellow tint of most fringe killers and the contrast booster. This was the inspiration for baader to create their more expensive semi apo filter, which in my experience, the one I have gives a slight green hue. I used to have several neodynium filters, the original baader in both 1.25 and 2", a 1.25" contrast booster, and the later neodynium filter with UV/IR cut for ccd imaging. The filter without uv/ir cut is no longer sold, and these filters cost a lot more than they used to. Everything I owned was stolen, so when I started back over, I got another 1.25" baader neodynium MSG +uv/ir, a 2" baader semi apo, and one of the cheap generic MSG 1.25" filters, to eventually compare with the baader, but I just never got around to it, but the difference between them is visible just looking at them, the baader lets more light through, 95% transmission according to their specs. I used to leave the 2" msg in front if my diagonal as an all around skyglow reducer and rgb intensifier, but note this is a subtle effect, not a huge difference, and you lose 5%. I would estimate the cheap ones to be more like 10% or more. Even then, 90% transmission is not much of a moon filter. Also, using an aperture mask may work in a pinch, especially on scopes with so so optics, but if the seeing is good, the loss of resolution is huge, and you are better off full aperture with a filter The reason most amateur astronomers don't use moon filters is we are lazy and don't want to bother with them, but when we first started out we used them
Hey Jason I must admit I've never used moon filter and I've been looking at the moon since getting binoculars back in 1988. I'm not really a moon observer but I do like seeing it through binoculars and telescopes. I have a Camcorder and zoom right up to moon and gives me great views of moon. I've made videos of the Moon with Camcorder. Great info on moon filters so I'm going to try this out. Careful not to drop things as I'm always dropping things myself. Funny it was and you were cheerful about it! Time to time I do like viewing the moon and I must admit I only know few craters etc. I know there are few astronomers who hate the moon. I love seeing total lunar eclipses which I seen a few and it's so good to see them. Sir Patrick Moore was one of the greatest lunar observers and an expert on mapping the moon and it's his favourite object in the entire night sky. Thanks very much for this very interesting video and stay safe buddy!
Hey bushcraft how are you bud. once you get used to them you'll wonder how you ever coped without a filter when viewing the moon.. dropping things is becoming my trademark on this channel lol I must clean that butter off my fingers. Cheers pal, take care clear skies.
Good morning mate, one clarification as a matter of symantics: earthshine refers to the reflected light off of earth illuminating the "unlit" portion of the moon, not the "dark side." We enjoy your videos and if you ever visit us here on the 42nd parallel in Michigan, the first pint is on me!
I came across this very helpful, understandable and informative video as a newbie who is anxtiously waiting on the delivery of his first astronomical telescope and as such I am trying to overcome my ignorance of astronomy by gaining as much knowledge as possible. And also to minimise expenditure in case I buy things I later find are unnecessary. So I am confused by some of the terminology used to describe objects, conditions, equipment, etc. In this case I cannot understand why the portion of the moon facing away from the earth would be described as "unlit" and not as the "dark" or probably more precisely the darker side. Surely if the moon is in space it is exposed to light in its entirety ? And if the "other side" is exposed to the reflected light off the earth from the closest star then it is "lit" not "unlit" ? I thought that it is favourable to use a telescope when we are positioned on the "dark" side of the earth to view the light/s from the other suns that although dimmer light up the dark side of the earth. If it was unlit it would be pointless having a telescope. And my initial moon filter will be a reduction of the primary aperture - brilliant (excuse the pun.) idea.
just watched your video. i have over 30years in the optical field and many years in lens manufacture. if you are interested i can send info on lens polarization and the importance of aligning the polarization . i'm not sure how much affect it has on telescopes but if someone is daylight viewing along with wearing polarized eyewear if should be very important.
When I bought a filter set it came with a green Moon filter and they are bad like really bad so I immediately bought a polarizing filter and the difference is mind blowing!
I’m as amateur as it gets.. I just got my first filter.. I got a svbony 1.25 uhc . Will that help with the moon? Or just deep sky? I got it to help with light pollution.. I’m using my great grandfathers 1950s Lafayette refractor 60mm 800mm . And a svbony sv305 Astro camera
Hello there. When it comes to filters there isn't really any set rule, the best thing to do is try different ones on different targets. With the Moon as long as you're blocking some of the life path you'll be fine whatever filter you use but having a neutral colour is usually best as it won't affect the natural colour of the Moon too much
I don´t have the sv105 but I think you don´t need one because you can adapt the brightness of the camera, I use my phone for pictures and I tried with and without a polarizing filter and the only difference was that I had the right brightness without adjusting it on the phone.
Hey Geoffrey. like the other's have said you can but its not essential when using a camera because you have the brightness control on the software, such as Sharpcap and you can do the needed adjustments there, It only becomes essential when observing the moon visually.
Finally had a clear sky long enough to try out my new camera , set up everything , got the scope aligned , focused on Jupiter with my eye piece , tracked it for a couple of minutes to make sure it stayed centered , switched out eye piece and inserted my new svbony 105 and just like that , the dew on my telescope was so thick along with the dew on my lap top I could see nothing , all in just 5 minutes time , I hate florida in the summer , it's just impossible , temperature was 89 F with 89 percent humidity , I'll have to go out west to do anything ..
Hey Tom. yeah, dew can be a real pain at times just keep at it pal that perfect night will come eventually, patience is the key to Astronomy especially when it comes to astrophotography. Try putting your laptop in a cardboard box laid on its side to prevent dew from forming on it. Best of luck pal, clear skies🌛
They say that people thought that the lunar seas had water in them but I think that even naked eye you can tell it's a dry arid place but obviously I base that on modern hindsight however the contrast water would give is a give away there isn't any!
Should I get a moon filter for my small (70mm/900FL) refractor? I looked at the full moon recently (and other phases too) with a 20mm eyepiece (45x magnification) and it didn't feel dazzling or ''too bright''. I feel that my telescope is so small that it just doesn't capture that much light.
Hello there.. With a 70mm telescope they are not absolutely necessary but even with a small telescope the light from the moon will still effect your dark adapted eyes to a certain extent so using a filter will prevent this.. If you do buy a filter make sure it is not to dark you don't want to block out to much light.. As a rough guide go for a filter 2/3 shades lighter/more transparent than an average pair of sunglasses.
@@smalloptics753 Thanks! I asked because I'm gonna get some stuff for my scope soon, like a phone adapter and a better high powered eyepiece (because the stock one has A LOT of chromatic aberration) and I wasn't too sure if I should get the filter, but you convinced me.
I’m using my great grandfathers 1950 Lafayette D60 f800 refractor.. and a svbony sv305 Astro camera.. I’m in b5 skys. I’ve gotten andromeda. Orion. The 7 sisters with dust. And rings Saturn.. lines and moons on Jupiter. Mars. Venus . Don’t underestimate a small telescope.. biggest difference made to mine was upgraded eyepieces. Huge difference. It’s like a totally different scope.. and I highly recommend the svbony sv305 Astro camera. With a bit of processing. You can get real detail. But a bigger scope is better. But gotta use what ya got.
@@yucatron76 the phone holders are real touchy.. I have both the sv305 and a phone holder.. the phone holder is a pain in the ass to get lined up.. I usually pull my eyepiece out and mount it to phone in the dark pointing it at a lighted window.. that’s the easiest way to line it up perfectly.. till you bump it and it moves.. lol
i know this is an old story, but I remember my first telescope... thought I knew what I was doing - did not, a sales person talked me into an 8inch f3.5 reflector... THE MOON HURT MY EYES.... lol... water under the bridge. the moon is fun, like watching an easy to watch movie...
More Info and insight. The first filters for observing the moon were designed by Mees and produced by Kodak after George Eastman purchased the company in 1912. These filters are still used today and are known by their Wratten numbers, though some manufacturers use different color names. The sensitivity of human eyes peaks at around the wavelength of green light. The human eye is most sensitive to green light, which is in the center of the visual spectrum. When fully adapted to light, the human eye's wavelength response is between 400 and 700 nanometers, with peak sensitivity at 555 nanometers. Reducing chromatic aberration: Yellow or yellow-green filters can help reduce the blues caused by chromatic aberration. This can improve the crispness of an image, especially when photographing planets. As ever research for yourself and get the best one that suits your eyes and viewing conditions. atb.
Absolutely NOT my friend. Reducing the aperture will not effect the views at all the only thing it does is not let as mush light in making whatever you are looking at a lot dimmer...
On a bright moon it will reduce glare and improve contrast (at least it did recently when I was testing out a restored Helios 102/f5 scope). I also use several filters from time to time and I think my favourite is the Lumicon 25% Neutral Density filter (ND25) which only allows through 25% of the light. I've also used an Ostara Moon & Skyglow filter which isn't really meant for observing the moon at all but seems to work nicely. I agree with Mr Small Optics about the colored filters - best avoided IMO. But, as with everything else astronomy related, YMMV...we all have different equipment and we all have different eyes ;-)
I usually prefer a neutral density filter and a polarizing to gether on the moon it gives me a far better contrast especially with my 12-inch Skyline, 14:35 it's just beautiful the details I see !!! 18:13
I just bought a new 130mm reflector, and the first night I was trying it, i had been looking at the stars and Saturn. After an hour, the moon had popped up, and I swing the scope onto it. I had to pull my eye away from the scope, and it was similar to when you quickly stare at the sun, just with your eyes, not thru a scope. I was rubbing my eye for ages, and I had a bright spot in my vision for around 15 mins. Another great vid m8.
Get a moon filter so it will dim the view and not hurt your eyes. I have 4 or 5 of those.
Excellent Jason. I love the way you don't bother to edit out any slight accidents that may occur during your filming !
You are perfectly imperfect, just like the rest of us.
It's one of the charms of your channel.
You've taught me something new, as always. I used to see the moon as my enemy, like a 100 watt lightbulb messing up my Bortle 5 sky !
I've changed my point of view....
Thanks. Keep helping us newbies out.
Hello Flyfisher. Thank my friend really nice of you to say, very much appreciated. Yes get yourself a good moon filter and start loving the Moon again. Take care, clear skies :)
I agree with you completely. I don't need a polished video as long as the information is accurate.
Also when the filter fell out his laugh was so warm and genuine it made me laugh. Glad the filter wasn't damaged.
I agree with you completely. I don't need a polished video as long as the information is accurate.
Also when the filter fell out his laugh was so warm and genuine it made me laugh. Glad the filter wasn't damaged.
I like your videos!
Fun fact. Staring at the moon through telescope (even large aperture) is less bright than staring at the side of a white building during the day when the sun is reflecting off of it. The main difference is exactly as you described. Being dark adapted makes your eyes up to 100 million times more sensitive to light than they are during the day. Sensory overload happens but does no real damage to your eyes. (some people actually claim to "feel pain" due to this defensive reaction and are afraid it is damaging their eyes, when in fact it is perfectly safe)
Some astronomers prefer to just let their eyes de-dark-adapt (it takes time) - and this gets you past the "defensive mode" you speak of here. At that point, you can resolve even finer details than you would with a filter blocking some of the light and reducing detail in the darker/shaded areas of the moons surface.
I just want to go to the pub and buy this man a brew and talk telescopes. Thank you Jason!
I love how calm and softspoken this guy is.. Lots of information to grasp from him.. Kudos
Great job Jason, when you mentioned looking at the moon when its not a full moon, you will be able to see the contrast of the craters
This guy is giving me 'Astronomy and Nature TV' vibes. Calm and relaxing video. (:
Nice one Jason, another great episode on the gravity demonstration channel lol I always point folks towards the polarising variety of Moon filter, and splitting it between the diagonal and eyepiece is a great hack!
Hey Chris, Thanks pal. Hahaha bloody gravity, it's going to cost me a fortune one day lol... Thats what made me want to buy a polarising filter just so I could do the hack :D Cheers Chris.
Fabulous! Thank you Jason, I’ve learned a lot here. Actually, I’ve learned more from you that most others on TH-cam 🔭
Hello helensarah1000 Your more than welcome. Great to hear that my videos are helping you Take care, clear skies :)
I have to agree, a great TH-camr who really helps with beginners as he can focus on the beginners stage in a lot of detail. Thumbs up from me, clear skies! 🌌🔭
@@caiwatson1006 Thank you Cai very much appreciated :)
Just told my wife that there's a TH-camr called Jason which I watch, with admiration. Can't thank you enough Jason.
Thanks a lot Jason. It is so convincing that I ordered a polarizing filter while watching your video. Exactly when you said: 'do it now' :)
Great purchase my friend :)
Mak 127 > polarising filter set up at both ends of the diagonal and you're off :) Spent the other night with a map and an 8mm eyepiece i and just spotting craters and valley in and around the Mare Serenitatis! I love to pick certain areas of the moon (depending on illumination) and just study...
I just got my first telescope and your videos have helped me so much. 👌 Your videos are very helpful
Certainly is Jason the first time I looked at a full moon thru an 8inch DOB nearly blew my eyes out. The variables are great like you say. 👍
Yeah, we all drop stuff. I unscrewed the bottom portion of a TeleVue Plossl, and half of the lens elements fell out!! Glad you kept that in.
Great video and great tips on using Moon filters . I’m going to use this information as soon as we have a clear sky. So helpful. Kind regards.
Totally agree, very important point! One of my first views of the moon was with a 6" SCT during a full moon, and that view was downright painful! I couldn't look at it for more than a few seconds. A little $20 moon filter fixed that right up.
full moon is the worst time to observe the moon
Thank you jason for this helpful (and funny😂) video, I’ll definitely order a polarizing filter soon. Btw i love this channel because it’s dedicated to beginners astronomers just like me 👍🏻 keep up the good work
Your more than welcome my friend. All the best, clear skies :)
Great video, already ordered one while listening!
Learnt so much from you Jason. Really appreciate your hard work. Thanks... Astronomy newbie 😁
Some of the most beautiful views I've ever had of the moon.Or was a neutral density filter and small crescent.
Love your videos Jason, new to astronomy, and new to this channel!, subbed up! cheers for all your excellent vids,
Paul, Dublin
No moon in the sky here for a bit. Skymaps says it's beside the sun, so hopefully soon I will be able to use these tips!!!
Thanks!! Loving it!
Thank u my friend ...
Your more than welcome :)
Thank you so much, Jason. You've presented a lot of information in a very enjoyable video!
Your more than welcome Dan. Tanks buddy :)
Hi Jason - when I went to Egypt I saw loads of stars through the same telescope I have now - I was wondering what eye piece you think would be best to see galaxies?? I have a Celestron 8SE - amazing but not getting the result I want - thank you all!! Jason, keep putting videos on - they help so much and you know so much its insane!! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge
Going to apply all the tricks and tips when I next see the moon😃
Best channel for beginner astrophotographers❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your kind words my friend, very much appreciated :)
I took your advise and got a variable polarizing filter. What a difference!! Thank You!!
Hello Don. Your more than welcome my friend.. They're great aren't they? Enjoy your new filter :)
Am binge watching your vids. They’re my goto!🇬🇧👍
Any reason to not use ND (neutral density) filters to tame the brightness like in photography?
Moon filters are ND filters, except for the case of those green ones, and polarizers, but polarizers are also neutral density themselves.
Excellent information Jason, 👌 thank you
Thank you for putting me right with best filter to use the moon.
Never liked the green filter and just viewed the moon without any filter at all.
Looking forward to viewing with a polarizing filter, which I hope will stop me squinting like a Cheshire cat.
Hello Nodrog, Your welcome friend. Once you get your new filter you will wonder how you ever did without it.. Clear skies :)
Great insight for addressing the filters on several eye pieces 👍
I wear glasses hence I use an optician for my prescription changes .
My optician is gracious enough to make tinted lens for my telescope for a few extra dollars 👍
I love the idea of splitting the filter for the 'eyepiece-spin-trick' but here's my question: I have an 8" dobsonian with a 2" eyepiece holder but all my powerfull eyepieces are 1,24 I use with an adapter. So do you think it would work if I bought 1 of each (2"+1,25") variable filters so I can screw the 2" filter on the adapter and the 1'25" on the eyepiece?
Because this is just the greatest hack EVER
Love your videos by the way
Great video Jason, I purchased my filter in this very moment.
Howdy there Jason. Just came across this very fun and informative video on crusing the Big Dipper. I just got my push to system working half AZ and ALT. WORKING OK. Found m101 with no problem. Only problem is my alt.decoder is 1 degree low😂. It puts objects in the field of view constantly though. Have bin hunting that elusive owl for sometime now. Will give it a go with or without a battery for my reader. Take care and clear skys from da bayous.
Hello Jackie, yes the owl nebula is a little elusive, dark skies and good dark adapted eyes are needed for that one. Happy hunting 🙂
Great vid.
Bugger!!! The only moon filter that was available locally was a green moon filter. I guess that I will have to have an eBay fix to buy a polarizing filter. Are there good and bad brands of Polarizing filters?
Regards, Jas.
VK4FJGS
Rocky Qld.
Again, thanks for another great and informational video, Jason!
Great video ...thanks
Great Video Jason! The Moon is a Forgiving Target To Image and Observe always!👍🏻🌕🔭
Thank you Avanteesh, Yes it's great for that.. Clear skies buddy :)
Thank you Jason your help has been of essential help for me a beginner ..love your videos
Your more than welcome friend. Fantastic to hear my videos are helping . Take care, clear skies :)
Thanks mate for great video
Thank you. Your more than welcome my friend 🙂
I've ordered my variable polarising filter. Can't wait to see a better moon 🌚
Great info thxs
Another good video
Dropping eyepieces is your thing 😀
Thanks ronald. Hahaha, it's looking that way isn't it? I don't know, what am I like..
Great channel!!!
Ty just got my first telescope , you are great i enjoy the explanations (:o)
Thank you Jason very helpful, what is also good to know is, if you have a 100 mm acramatic refractor which is generally 1000 mm focal length or F10, and you remove the centrepiece of your dust cover as Jason has shown you depending on the diameter of the hole you increase the f ratio of your telescope, the ideal ratio for an acramatic refractor to remove false colour is an F-15, the false colour increases when the ratio decreases, this is also known as a fast telescope or a slow telescope, fast being F5 slow being F10 upwords, if you have an F10 refractor and the centre whole is around 75 mm you now have an f13 refractor, which reduces the false colour, if you have a 66 mm centre whole you now have an F-15 refractor, which eliminates all false colour, it is interesting to use different centre holes to see how the false colour reduces, apart from viewing the moon as Jason has said, to see the effect it has on the planets that you are observing giving it a more pleasing view, you may see more detailed reducing the colour even though aperture is also reduced, if you don't have a dust cover with a removable centrepiece then you can easily make one out of cardboard, and you can make the whole any size you desire, but make sure it is black and flat black not gloss black it is less reflective, this would be perhaps a fun thing to try to enhance your scoping pleasure of the planets and also of double stars which really stand out when false colour is removed when using high powers, happy scoping,🤗
I love acramatic wholes
Moonlight itself (when not full) is itself polarized. The plane of polarization changes as the moons phase changes.
Have you thought about doing a video trying to view the iss transits of the moon and sun
Some fairly soon close to you
Hello ronald, No I haven't but I like the Idea, It would be nice to do something on the ISS. Thanks for the suggestion pal, I'll jot it down :)
Great video. Loved the tip about separating the variable. I would just hold the variable on top of the eyepiece, set it to my preferance and then screw it back on the eyepiece but your tip is much better. Thank you from Ontario Canada. A Coronation Street fan. Shhhhh :-)
Hello friend, thank you and you more than welcome... Ha ha ha, Yes, Corrie is very popular here, don't care for it much myself but my girlfriend never misses an episode.
The sudden light actually bleaches out the rhodopsin (visual purple) to a great extent. The only thing you can do is filter it out the intense light before it happens or - sadly - wait to fully night adapt again (which can take from 30 to 45 minutes).
Hi, Thanks for this Info! I was dreaming all my life about and i bought today my first Teleskop Dobson 152/1200. Omegon bariable pollfilter too. And yeah every single Item was risky, because i have no clue about. Yes i read something, i watch videos, but practically… i never used a Teleskop yet. Im 37 now and im ready to start. Im happy to get now something like confirmation, that this peace for 50€ will be Worth 😀 🥳 I like your videos. Understandable with lot of Passion. Greeting from German Black Forest
That's great information. I think that with much online content being directed at deep sky astronomy, it's a shame we have lost some appreciation of our nearest celestial neighbor. I like the adjustable polarising filter, it certainly looks like the ideal moon filter solution for any aperture and eyepiece.
Great video!
Thank you my friend :)
Ok then I will get a filter. At least I have my burlow T adapter ready with a T ring so I can observe the moon with my nikon until then. Not optimal but I get to take pics (hopefully). Your videos provide great information!
Thank you.👍🤗
Your welcome friend :)
BRILLIANT JASON CHEERS
Hey Jason. To be completely honest, I don’t mind not using a filter. My eyes are always fully dark adapted before looking at the moon, and unless it’s a full moon or nearly there’s I’m ok with viewing it without a filter. I have a pretty good filter, and it just makes the moon more dramatic and darker, nothing spectacular. Personal preference I guess.
Also, I was afraid you weren’t going to drop your eyepiece (or something else for that matter). You did!! Great video as always Jason 😆
If the dust cover hole is in the middle, doesn't that reduce the resolving power of your scope because you are effectively turning your 8" scope (or whatever size it is) to a smaller size, depending on the size of the hole - say 3". You might as well be observing the moon with a 3" scope. I surmise that is why the larger dust cover has two holes that are not in the center - you still get some of the advantages of the larger diameter objective along with cutting down on light.
UHC filter will block out blue light , but as a less expansive source , a yellow filter will also,
Hey Tom, Good point, I can't believe I forgot to mention the yellow, I agree they are also great for the moon.
Reducing the aperture reduces resolution and that is unwanted especially with small telescopes.
I was becoming very dissapointed with the video, but , at 16: 30 you came through and dropped a piece , Bravo LOL
Hahaha thanks Tom.. It will cost me one of these days..
have to agree, eg rather than spending lots of time explaining the theory behind the advantages of a moon filter, show 2 pics (with and without a moon filter)
I love your videos, they are such a good introduction to astronomy. I didn't fully understand collimation until I saw one of your videos :). I also bought the red line 68 eyepieces based on your review. I do have one point as feedback. When mentioning the aperture stops, please add that it limits the resolution. So it may be OK for viewing the full moon, but not so much about high power views of craters and such.
Great video jay yet again. You have grown so fast. I remember when you first started this TH-cam channel and now look how many subscribers you have.
Every comment you get is always positive and it just shows you how much everyone appreciates all the hard work you put in.
Keep up the good work 🙌
Thank you for your kinds words my friend.. Much appreciated :)
The 1 dislike is the guy that brought their telescope out and didn’t check if it was cloudy
what if you use your left eye to view the moon and right to look at everything else?
Would a neutral density filter work?
@lonniepaulson7031: Yes, so-called "moon filters" are actually ND filters. I got a free one with my telescope and it makes a slight difference / improvement.
Hey Jason, i dont believe you will respond to this because I am 2 years late. But basically, i have a 5,5 inch dob and I want to get a Neutral density filter. Im wondering what level I should get, like nd1 nd2 nd3 etc. You said medium for a 5 inch telescope but im not exactly sure ehat that means. Great and very helpful videos by the way!
I never knew that filters were this important ! I think I will buy one because i don’t have one yet😅.and do polarizing filters work for planets such as Jupiter and Saturn because Jupiter is too bright…
Hello Basman, Yes, the difference they make when viewing the moon is quite something... Adjustable polarizing filters are good all rounders so yes they will work great even for some of the brighter targets such as Jupiter :)
That nearly transparent violet colored filter you showed in the beginning of the video is not for looking AT the moon, it is for looking at other objects with a bit more contrast because it reduces glow in the sky caused by the moon, as well as natural skyglow, and just a tad of reduction in light pollution, but not nearly as much as a broadband light pollution/nebula filter does.
Since it is called a moon+sky glow filter, many like yourself, and even less knowledgeable dealers such as astromania, think is a moon filter and hence describe it wrong.
This filter was introduced by baader a few decades ago. for a long time they were the only company making them. Since they used neodynium doped glass to make them, they were called the neodynium moon and sky glow filter. Which is also the base for the contrast booster and semi apo filters.
Now there are much cheaper generic ones that are just a little different, and I am not sure if they use neodynium since it is not specified and the violet hue is a bit darker than the baader.
They also act as RGB intensifiers, and are great for seeing details on jupiter, and the contrast booster version, which has a yellow tint to help chromatic abberation in achromats, is actually one of the best mars filters in any type of scope.
Savvy astronomers discovered that when you stack a neodynium filter with a standard fringe killer, it still corrected chromatic abberation but with a closer to natural hue unlike the yellow tint of most fringe killers and the contrast booster.
This was the inspiration for baader to create their more expensive semi apo filter, which in my experience, the one I have gives a slight green hue.
I used to have several neodynium filters, the original baader in both 1.25 and 2", a 1.25" contrast booster, and the later neodynium filter with UV/IR cut for ccd imaging. The filter without uv/ir cut is no longer sold, and these filters cost a lot more than they used to.
Everything I owned was stolen, so when I started back over, I got another 1.25" baader neodynium MSG +uv/ir, a 2" baader semi apo, and one of the cheap generic MSG 1.25" filters, to eventually compare with the baader, but I just never got around to it, but the difference between them is visible just looking at them, the baader lets more light through, 95% transmission according to their specs.
I used to leave the 2" msg in front if my diagonal as an all around skyglow reducer and rgb intensifier, but note this is a subtle effect, not a huge difference, and you lose 5%.
I would estimate the cheap ones to be more like 10% or more. Even then, 90% transmission is not much of a moon filter.
Also, using an aperture mask may work in a pinch, especially on scopes with so so optics, but if the seeing is good, the loss of resolution is huge, and you are better off full aperture with a filter
The reason most amateur astronomers don't use moon filters is we are lazy and don't want to bother with them, but when we first started out we used them
Hey Jason I must admit I've never used moon filter and I've been looking at the moon since getting binoculars back in 1988.
I'm not really a moon observer but I do like seeing it through binoculars and telescopes.
I have a Camcorder and zoom right up to moon and gives me great views of moon. I've made videos of the Moon with Camcorder.
Great info on moon filters so I'm going to try this out. Careful not to drop things as I'm always dropping things myself. Funny it was and you were cheerful about it!
Time to time I do like viewing the moon and I must admit I only know few craters etc. I know there are few astronomers who hate the moon.
I love seeing total lunar eclipses which I seen a few and it's so good to see them. Sir Patrick Moore was one of the greatest lunar observers and an expert on mapping the moon and it's his favourite object in the entire night sky.
Thanks very much for this very interesting video and stay safe buddy!
Hey bushcraft how are you bud. once you get used to them you'll wonder how you ever coped without a filter when viewing the moon.. dropping things is becoming my trademark on this channel lol I must clean that butter off my fingers. Cheers pal, take care clear skies.
Good morning mate, one clarification as a matter of symantics: earthshine refers to the reflected light off of earth illuminating the "unlit" portion of the moon, not the "dark side." We enjoy your videos and if you ever visit us here on the 42nd parallel in Michigan, the first pint is on me!
I came across this very helpful, understandable and informative video as a newbie who is anxtiously waiting on the delivery of his first astronomical telescope and as such I am trying to overcome my ignorance of astronomy by gaining as much knowledge as possible. And also to minimise expenditure in case I buy things I later find are unnecessary.
So I am confused by some of the terminology used to describe objects, conditions, equipment, etc.
In this case I cannot understand why the portion of the moon facing away from the earth would be described as "unlit" and not as the "dark" or probably more precisely the darker side.
Surely if the moon is in space it is exposed to light in its entirety ? And if the "other side" is exposed to the reflected light off the earth from the closest star then it is "lit" not "unlit" ?
I thought that it is favourable to use a telescope when we are positioned on the "dark" side of the earth to view the light/s from the other suns that although dimmer light up the dark side of the earth. If it was unlit it would be pointless having a telescope.
And my initial moon filter will be a reduction of the primary aperture - brilliant (excuse the pun.) idea.
just watched your video. i have over 30years in the optical field and many years in lens manufacture. if you are interested i can send info on lens polarization and the importance of aligning the polarization . i'm not sure how much affect it has on telescopes but if someone is daylight viewing along with wearing polarized eyewear if should be very important.
When I bought a filter set it came with a green Moon filter and they are bad like really bad so I immediately bought a polarizing filter and the difference is mind blowing!
Yeah same..i basically throw away the "moon" filter it just so trashy plastic lens that make you image more blurry
Hey RP Lore. Yes the supplied filters can be quite bad.. Great choice getting the polarising filter they great aren't they? clear skies buddy :)
I saw the crescent,
You saw the whole of the moon...
I’m as amateur as it gets.. I just got my first filter.. I got a svbony 1.25 uhc . Will that help with the moon? Or just deep sky? I got it to help with light pollution.. I’m using my great grandfathers 1950s Lafayette refractor 60mm 800mm . And a svbony sv305 Astro camera
Hello there. When it comes to filters there isn't really any set rule, the best thing to do is try different ones on different targets. With the Moon as long as you're blocking some of the life path you'll be fine whatever filter you use but having a neutral colour is usually best as it won't affect the natural colour of the Moon too much
Would the filter be better for my new svbony105?(which i've just bought thanks to you).
you can control light contrast with the software from sharpcap, but yes , you can use a moon filter if you want
I don´t have the sv105 but I think you don´t need one because you can adapt the brightness of the camera, I use my phone for pictures and I tried with and without a polarizing filter and the only difference was that I had the right brightness without adjusting it on the phone.
Hey Geoffrey. like the other's have said you can but its not essential when using a camera because you have the brightness control on the software, such as Sharpcap and you can do the needed adjustments there, It only becomes essential when observing the moon visually.
Finally had a clear sky long enough to try out my new camera , set up everything , got the scope aligned , focused on Jupiter with my eye piece , tracked it for a couple of minutes to make sure it stayed centered , switched out eye piece and inserted my new svbony 105 and just like that , the dew on my telescope was so thick along with the dew on my lap top I could see nothing , all in just 5 minutes time , I hate florida in the summer , it's just impossible , temperature was 89 F with 89 percent humidity , I'll have to go out west to do anything ..
Hey Tom. yeah, dew can be a real pain at times just keep at it pal that perfect night will come eventually, patience is the key to Astronomy especially when it comes to astrophotography. Try putting your laptop in a cardboard box laid on its side to prevent dew from forming on it. Best of luck pal, clear skies🌛
They say that people thought that the lunar seas had water in them but I think that even naked eye you can tell it's a dry arid place but obviously I base that on modern hindsight however the contrast water would give is a give away there isn't any!
great info Jason. Maybe we should start a go fund me page so we can replace that chewed up chair😄
LOL! It is chewed up but really comfy 😅
side-light... why plastered walls look dodgy when you shine a torch across it... unless it's a good plasterer? 🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌚
Wow now i get why when I was a kid I look at moon with telescope I could never seen the moon clear it was bright and could not make out the texture
Should I get a moon filter for my small (70mm/900FL) refractor? I looked at the full moon recently (and other phases too) with a 20mm eyepiece (45x magnification) and it didn't feel dazzling or ''too bright''. I feel that my telescope is so small that it just doesn't capture that much light.
Hello there.. With a 70mm telescope they are not absolutely necessary but even with a small telescope the light from the moon will still effect your dark adapted eyes to a certain extent so using a filter will prevent this.. If you do buy a filter make sure it is not to dark you don't want to block out to much light.. As a rough guide go for a filter 2/3 shades lighter/more transparent than an average pair of sunglasses.
@@smalloptics753 Thanks! I asked because I'm gonna get some stuff for my scope soon, like a phone adapter and a better high powered eyepiece (because the stock one has A LOT of chromatic aberration) and I wasn't too sure if I should get the filter, but you convinced me.
I’m using my great grandfathers 1950 Lafayette D60 f800 refractor.. and a svbony sv305 Astro camera.. I’m in b5 skys. I’ve gotten andromeda. Orion. The 7 sisters with dust. And rings Saturn.. lines and moons on Jupiter. Mars. Venus . Don’t underestimate a small telescope.. biggest difference made to mine was upgraded eyepieces. Huge difference. It’s like a totally different scope.. and I highly recommend the svbony sv305 Astro camera. With a bit of processing. You can get real detail. But a bigger scope is better. But gotta use what ya got.
@@yucatron76 the phone holders are real touchy.. I have both the sv305 and a phone holder.. the phone holder is a pain in the ass to get lined up.. I usually pull my eyepiece out and mount it to phone in the dark pointing it at a lighted window.. that’s the easiest way to line it up perfectly.. till you bump it and it moves.. lol
i know this is an old story, but I remember my first telescope... thought I knew what I was doing - did not, a sales person talked me into an 8inch f3.5 reflector... THE MOON HURT MY EYES.... lol... water under the bridge. the moon is fun, like watching an easy to watch movie...
More Info and insight. The first filters for observing the moon were designed by Mees and produced by Kodak after George Eastman purchased the company in 1912. These filters are still used today and are known by their Wratten numbers, though some manufacturers use different color names. The sensitivity of human eyes peaks at around the wavelength of green light. The human eye is most sensitive to green light, which is in the center of the visual spectrum. When fully adapted to light, the human eye's wavelength response is between 400 and 700 nanometers, with peak sensitivity at 555 nanometers. Reducing chromatic aberration: Yellow or yellow-green filters can help reduce the blues caused by chromatic aberration. This can improve the crispness of an image, especially when photographing planets. As ever research for yourself and get the best one that suits your eyes and viewing conditions. atb.
I'll use light amber colored sunglasses.😎
@@stevewheatley243 perfect 👍
SV BONY is selling a lot of cameras because of your video, they owe you a 305 ..LOL
That would be nice wouldn't it :D
I have a moon filter, but I haven't dropped it yet.
Using cap as aperture reducer also will reduce resolution and sharpness and will ruin your observation experience...
Absolutely NOT my friend. Reducing the aperture will not effect the views at all the only thing it does is not let as mush light in making whatever you are looking at a lot dimmer...
On a bright moon it will reduce glare and improve contrast (at least it did recently when I was testing out a restored Helios 102/f5 scope). I also use several filters from time to time and I think my favourite is the Lumicon 25% Neutral Density filter (ND25) which only allows through 25% of the light. I've also used an Ostara Moon & Skyglow filter which isn't really meant for observing the moon at all but seems to work nicely. I agree with Mr Small Optics about the colored filters - best avoided IMO. But, as with everything else astronomy related, YMMV...we all have different equipment and we all have different eyes ;-)
@@smalloptics753 the resolution is reduced with reduced aperture
Dont go to the dark side !
That seems familiar.
😀
Are you the Frank Spencer of the astronomy world, when it comes to dropping expensive glass? LOL
Hahaha, I'm beginning to think so buddy :D
Belting pal
I usually prefer a neutral density filter and a polarizing to gether on the moon it gives me a far better contrast especially with my 12-inch Skyline, 14:35 it's just beautiful the details I see !!! 18:13
whats an eyepiece ? just jk, great advice and i use filters for viewing the moon 🔭👍
Yep. Essential accessory.. Clear skies buddy :)
16: fumble !
Whatever you do ( don't go to the dark side Luke ) ...lol
lol!!
Rule 1 don’t go to the dark side 👍
Takes a long long long time coming to the point.
Sorry, man, but your "m'kay" and "o'right" remind me video by Alfie Solomons "Learn the cockney accent". 😅