|
Object |
Filter |
Result |
|
Moon |
Moon filter |
Reduces brightness of the Moon evenly across the
spectrum, |
|
(Neutral density) |
Making observations easier without introducing false
color. |
|
15 (Deep yellow) |
Enhances contrast of lunar surface |
|
58 (Green) |
Like deep yellow, green will enhance contrast and detail
in some lunar features |
|
80A (Light blue) |
Reduces glare |
|
Polarizer |
Like the neutral density filter, reduces brightness
without introducing false colors |
|
Mercury |
21 (Orange) |
Helps to make the planet's phases clearly visible |
|
23A (Red) |
Increases contrast of a planet against blue sky, aiding
in daytime or bright twilight observation |
|
25 (Deep red) |
Same as #23A, but deeper color |
|
80A (Light blue) |
Improves view of Mercury against bright orange twilight
sky |
|
Polarizer |
Darkens sky background to increase contrast of planet;
helpful
for
determining phase of Mercury |
|
Venus
Mars |
25 (Deep red) |
Darkens background to reduce glare; some say they also
help reveal subtle cloud markings |
|
80A (Light blue) |
Improves view of Venus against bright orange twilight
sky |
|
Polarizer |
Reduces glare without adding artificial color
(especially important for viewing the planet through
larger telescopes} |
|
21 (Orange) |
Penetrates atmosphere to reveal reddish areas and
highlight
surface features such as plains and maria (best choice
for small apertures) |
|
23A (Light red) |
Same as #21, but deeper color (best choice for medium
and large apertures) |
|
25 (Deep red) |
Same effect as #23A, but deeper color
(best choice of the three for very large apertures) |
|
38A (Deep blue) |
Brings out dust storms on surface of Mars |
|
58 (Green) |
Accentuates melt lines around polar caps |
|
80A (Light blue) |
Accentuates polar caps and high clouds, especially near
the planet's limb |
|
Jupiter |
11 (Yellow-green) |
Reveals fine details in cloud bands |
|
21 (Orange) |
Accentuates cloud bands |
|
56 (Light green) |
Accentuates reddish features such as the Red Spot |
|
58 (Green) |
Same as #56, but deeper color |
|
BOA (Light blue) |
Highlights details in orange and purple belts as well as
white ovals |
|
82A (Very light blue) |
Similar effect as #80A, though not as pronounced |
|
Saturn |
15 (Deep yellow) |
Helps to reveal cloud bands |
|
21 (Orange) |
Similar effect as #11, but deeper color |
|
Comets |
SOA (Light blue) |
Increases contrast of some comets' tails |
|
Other Uses |
15 (Deep yellow) |
Helps block ultraviolet light when doing black-and-white
astrophotography |
|
25 (Red) |
Reduces impact of light pollution on long-exposure
black-and
white photographs taken from light-polluted areas |
|
58 (Green) |
Same as #25; works well for emission nebulae |
|
82A (Very light blue) |
Suppresses chromatic aberration in refractors |
|
Minus Violet |
Reduces impact of light pollution without dramatically
distorting
color; cheaper than broadband LPR filters |
