These pages show observing notes from other amateur astronomers with a view to answering the question 

" what can be seen with a small telescope"

The pages include observations made with instruments such as refractors,  reflectors, schmidt cassegrains and binoculars (all with an aperture of 150mm or less). I hope this information will inspire newcomers to seek out the objects described in the reports for themselves and make them realise the potential of their equipment.

To make these pages as useful as possible please submit your own observing report, the more information displayed here the better informed we all will be. I for one have realised just what can be seen with a 6" reflector and have successfully tracked down objects that I thought I couldn't see!

My thanks go to all of you who've taken the time and effort to submit observing reports, the success of these pages is down to your contributions - keep them coming!

Clear skies.

 

The following reports have been submitted by Jeff Barbour based on experiences with his 6" Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope. 

Pushing magnification to the limit using a Maksutov Cassegrain

Using filters with a 6" telescope

Testing a Star Diagonal

Equipment review submitted by Milton Esquinaldo
See what he has to say about the 25mm Plosll and Shorty Barlow.

 

If you want to find a reference to a particular object then use the search box below


 

Don't know what to look for? 

Find out what observers are looking at now and writing about in their reports. Objects shown in green indicate an observing report on this site. Let me know if you think an object should be added to the list of targets.

Plus a comprehensive list of over 1,000 objects by month and constellation. 

See it Here

Observing reports have been submitted with the following types of instruments
click on the instrument type to see the observing reports.

Equipment

Number of reports

Last updated

Binoculars

Thirty reports 1 September 2002
Reflector  - 6" Eighty Two reports 1 September 2003
Reflector  - 5.1" Three reports 1 September 2003
Reflector  - 4.5" Thirty two reports 22 July 2003
Reflector - 3" One report 29 November 2001
Refractor - 60mm Forty five reports 22 July 2003
Refractor - 70mm One report 2 February 2001

Refractor - 80mm

Twenty Nine reports 22 July 2003
Refractor - 90mm Five reports 21 August 2001
Refractor - 102mm Seven reports 17 September 2002
Refractor - 105mm Twenty reports 19 August 2002
Refractor - 120mm Two reports 24 January 2001
Refractor - 150mm Five reports 22 July 2003
Schmidt Cassegrain - 120mm Thirteen reports 6 March 2001
ETX 60 One report 30 January 2001
ETX 90 Five reports 22 July 2003
ETX 125 One report 10 July 2001
Maksutov Cassegrain - 90mm Two reports 8 September 2003
Maksutov Cassegrain - 102mm One report 2 September 2003
Maksutov Cassegrain - 130mm One report 22 July 2003
Maksutov Cassegrain - 140mm Ten reports 5 September 2001
Maksutov Cassegrain - 150mm Fifty nine reports 11 March 2002
Various scopes - Star parties Eight reports 26 July 2001
Schmidt Cassegrain - 8" Two reports 28 June 2001
Reflector - 8" Twelve reports 10 June 2002
Meteors Four reports 08 January 2002
 
Mission to mars

 

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