Good DSO's to observe with mild light pollution?

Question

I live in McDonald, Ohio. Its in northeast Ohio. What are some good DSO's that are easier and brighter around this time of year? Or suggest any other objects that would be worth viewing other than the planets. Thanks!

Answer 1

http://www.stellarium.org/

AND

http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/

These are both great freeware that you can download to answer many questions that you have about the cellestial targets in your sky. These are what I use. Just tell them where you are and they will tell you what you see.

Another good free one is:

http://www.earth.google.com/

But on this one you have to click on the sky feature to see what is in the sky above you.

Enjoy

Answer 2

Most of the Messier objects.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mes...

Answer 3

start with m13, m27 and m57. all are bright, all are easy to find, all look good under light-polluted skies. when you're in the vicinity of m57 check out epsilon lyrae. check out albireo (beta cygni). it's really cool.

Answer 4

I live near Detroit.  I have a grocery store parking lot across the street from me, and a street light next to my driveway.  It isn't worse in downtown New York.  In fact, Central Park isn't as bad.

The only thing i have trouble with is galaxies.  M31 (Andromeda) can be seen, and sometimes M80 and M81.  These are best when they are as high in the sky as they can get.

I can see double stars, globular clusters and open clusters with ease.  With an oxygen 3 filter, i can see nebula.  Last summer, i pointed my telescope between two flood lights, and with an O3 filter, saw M16 - the Eagle nebula.  It was basically as good as it is from a dark sky site.

I can see all of the Messier objects except galaxies from my driveway.

I have a 10 inch (254 mm) dob with a push-to computer.  After a two star alignment, the computer tells me where everything is.  An Oxygen 3 filter will remove most of the light.  They suggest that you need an 8 inch (200 mm) scope to use one, but i've seen stuff through a 6 inch (150 mm) refractor.

One of the guys at the club was able to image objects that he was not able to see through his scope under similar conditions to what i have.  You need a very good alignment and a tracking mount for this.