19 Aug
2009
19 Aug
'09
2:24 p.m.
An 8" telescope is not a small telescope. It is perfectly capable of delivering stunning views of just about all the Messier objects from reasonably dark location, given good seeing at the time. Skull Valley should be a very good site for being reasonably close to the valley. Get a couple of new eyepieces, and make sure the scope is clean as Erik suggested, and collimated. You will amazed at the views. Don't think your scope is inadequate, it's not. Once you get familiar with the sky a little more, and become more proficient at using a scope, then cast your gaze on a larger telescope- but beware, your wallet had better be up to the task. Big scopes don't come cheap.