Selecting eyepieces

Greetings,

I am not sure where to start or exactly what sort of information would be helpful, so here it goes. I retired about 4 years ago and I'm 56. My "seeing" conditions are most often pretty good ... I would assume ... when compared to a city like Phoenix Arizona. Most of my viewing will be “out of the city” in Pine Arizona, with a Latitude of 34.39 N, Longitude: 111.46 W and "my" elevation is 5,650. I also should mention that I am a complete novice. I hope to acquire your knowledge about my current eyepieces and advise on purchasing additional quality eyepieces for visual viewing with my C-9.25 (and other scopes). I am very interested in DSO and especially Lunar. I started out with an Orion ST-80 and still have it. I also have an FSQ-106N (not here yet), FS-60C and a G-11 (not GOTO) mount. I have a Type I Hutech Rebel, an ATIK ATK-1HS II, a ST-4 and a WO SCT 2 speed focuser. Of course I plan on getting into astrophotography soon and have dabbled a touch already. I currently own a powermate 2.5x, a 32mm TV Plossl, 8mm TV Radian and a 18mm TV Radian. Any suggestions and explanations would be very much appreciated.

I should mention that I did search the archives and did quite a bit of reading but I am still a bit confused.

-JW:

I'm not sure you actually got around to asking a question!

Here's a good article on the topic of choosing magnifications from Al Nagler:

http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?ID=140

Which might answer some questions.

James,

You have probably heard and read all there is to say. Just go slow and see what other people are actually using.

Alex

You need a 2" wide field eyepiece that will maximize your true field of view in whatever scope you are using. This would be particularly helpful in the 9.25" SCT. At f/10, you really don't have to be concerned about too large of an exit pupil (focal length of the eyepiece divided by the scope's f-ratio).

You have some quality eyepieces from TeleVue, so I would continue that trend and get something like a 35mm Panoptic, a 31mm Nagler, or (if on a budget, which does not seem to be a problem) a University Optics 40MK70.

Hugh Bartlett

James,
Sounds like you're really getting into it! That's great!
I would suggest wide-field Televue's for the C-9.25".
A 35 or 41mm Panoptic will help you capture larger open clusters and nebulae, Andromeda, star fields, etc.
A 14mm UWA (4000) would be my next suggestion. A classic EP.
That'll give you a nice wide FOV at a medium high power level.
And, though you already have the 18MM Radian, a 20mm Nagler (type 2 or 5)
would be ideal, for many DSO's. That's one of my most used EP's.
Personally, I'd probably swap out the 18mm Radian for a 6 or 5mm.
Anyway, if I could only have 3 EP's for my 8" LX-90, it would be those.
Have fun!
Linton

Hi James,
There've been a lot of good suggestions. I have a C9.25, couple 4" APOs, & FC-60E among other things so I can tell you the UO 40mm MK80 is a great choice as are the 27mm Pan, 20mm Nagler, and getting something with a Medium Power in Wide Angle.
I can also tell you the absolute best advice you've received is to get out with the eyepieces and start viewing. That's the only way you'll truly know which direction to head. Ask your friend/mentor if you can borrow an eyepiece once in a while. Go out and view for extended periods. Spend at least 15+ minutes observing the same object. You'll be surprised at what you start noticing.
As some on this forum can tell you, I have many of the best eyepieces made including some custom manufactured for commercial use (money no object). I can also honestly tell you that the ones I use the most, under all conditions and applications, would probably surprise everyone! How do you find out which are "The Ones"? By using them.
Best of luck in your endeavors. Take care and Clear Skies, Bill

James Witt said:

Greetings,

I am not sure where to start or exactly what sort of information would be helpful, so here it goes. I retired about 4 years ago and I'm 56. My "seeing" conditions are most often pretty good ... I would assume ... when compared to a city like Phoenix Arizona. Most of my viewing will be “out of the city” in Pine Arizona, with a Latitude of 34.39 N, Longitude: 111.46 W and "my" elevation is 5,650. I also should mention that I am a complete novice. I hope to acquire your knowledge about my current eyepieces and advise on purchasing additional quality eyepieces for visual viewing with my C-9.25 (and other scopes). I am very interested in DSO and especially Lunar. I started out with an Orion ST-80 and still have it. I also have an FSQ-106N (not here yet), FS-60C and a G-11 (not GOTO) mount. I have a Type I Hutech Rebel, an ATIK ATK-1HS II, a ST-4 and a WO SCT 2 speed focuser. Of course I plan on getting into astrophotography soon and have dabbled a touch already. I currently own a powermate 2.5x, a 32mm TV Plossl, 8mm TV Radian and a 18mm TV Radian. Any suggestions and explanations would be very much appreciated.

I should mention that I did search the archives and did quite a bit of reading but I am still a bit confused.

-JW: