Orion Ultra block ?

[Lager]

What do you think about this in a small 100 MM tele?
It got a favorable write up on the "Washed out Astronomy" web sight.
Im thinking this filter just might allow me to see further and clearer that I can right now useing this small tele and light polluted skies.
I would really like an 8 inch reflector, but thats not in the budget right now.
Suggestions or opinions?
Paul

[Joe Lalumia]

Personally I believe your scope is too small for the Ultra block or the OIII filters-- usually something 6 inches and larger is needed. They darken the field of view too much for a 100mm scope.

[jenniferchristine]

I agree with Joe, there's a lot of light lost through these filters you need more to start with to increase the contrast

[terrynak]

Paul - my advice is to buy one (currently on sale at Orion) and see if it makes a difference or not through your Skyscanner. Remember, it only works on selected deep sky objects - emission and planetary nebula - but there are tons of these objects out there, such as the Orion Nebula, the Dumbell Nebula, the Veil Nebula, the Owl nebula, etc. As in all things astronomy, the darker the sky, the better the view through the filter. It won't work on stars, galaxies, reflection nebula and everything else - it will make them dimmer and harder to see by blocking out a lot of the wavelengths that these objects emit. Personally, I don't think you'll be disappointed (I use this filter on my Skyscanner when viewing emission/planetary nebulae), but if you don't think it makes a difference on your current scope, you can always use it on your planned larger scope.