Tweedledee Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Somewhere online (can't remember where), I found the following and copied it for future reference. Others might also find it useful. Here are two methods to find the limiting magnitude of your binoculars or telescope on a particular night. Count the number of stars visible, bounded by, but not including the 4 main stars forming the pan of the Pleiades cluster. No. of | Limiting stars | Mag. 6 = 9.0 7 = 9.5 9 = 10.0 12 = 10.5 15 = 11.0 18 = 11.5 22 = 12.0 25 = 12.5 31 = 13.0 Also... Count the number of stars visible, bounded by, but not including the 4 main stars forming the Delphinus diamond. No. of | Limiting stars | Mag. 6 = 8.5 9 = 9.0 14 = 9.5 24 = 10.0 38 = 10.5 Just need one that will be useable in spring time now. I might have to work one out myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Nice one thanks Pete. Forecast is good or Monday so I will do the Pleiades test and let you know exactly how little I can see from my yard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 This sounds a good idea but remember that this applies to point sources, such as stars. For galaxies and other extended objects, the limiting magnitude is usually about 2 less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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