Alex_

Love the idea of this. Planning camping trips and days off would be so much easier with something like this. I've been relying on Clear Outside myself and that's ok for planetary observation, but since I just ordered a refractor to start AP, darkness prediction would be great too!

Thought I'd put this here as well just to show what I eventually managed with Orion Nebula off the back of the Nexstar 8SE. 155 x 6s subs @ 800 iso.

Here we go, first proper output of the Orion Nebula after several failed attempts. This is very cropped due to it being taken by Canon 60D (non modified) on the back of my Nexstar 8SE Alt/Az. 155 x 6s subs @ 800 iso. Edited in Affinity which I clearly have much to learn about!

Ah yes, thanks for the book tips. I've seen them before and hadn't remembered to order at least one. As I own a Mac laptop, I've started using Stellarium which has been super helpful so far. I haven't plugged in the 50mm yet though, so that will help greatly! Just having written this all out has helped me calm down and enjoy things more! Very much enjoying the journey

Thanks for the tips. I do have a laptop. I think that's my next step to plan all that out.

Thanks for the response. I am definitely feeling your point on the focal length. I really am resisting the urge to get another OTA just for DSO so want to learn first I'll be sure to check the thread you mention. I did try Orion Nebula the other night and tracking was an issue with the nebula slipping out of frame after 30 minutes. I'm sure I'll find more there. Stop trying to tempt me with the HEQ5 I did more detailed research on the 50mm with the camera (not modified) a few weeks ago and and got 6s as the sweet spot, so will give that a go tonight.

Hi everyone, After my initial foray into DSO astrophotography with very poor results in terms of actual data in the images, I am about to embark on some trial and error. From all the reading I am doing and have done, I think I am using the wrong object to start (M31) and therefore I am making other mistakes along the road without really understanding where the flaws are in my plans. I am doing my best to work with what I have, and not spending more money without good, well thought out reason, since I only received the telescope in December and am new to both observing and astrophotography. Again trying to heed advice I've read, even though I realise there are much better ways of doing this :D. HW I have available as follows: Nextstar 8SE with the supplied Alt/Az mount Celestron Plössl 25mm Canon 60D Celestron piggy back mount Celestron T-adapter to mount camera straight to telescope (currently used successfully for moonscapes) 50mm f1.8 Canon Prime lens 70-300mm Tamron f4-5.6 (non-prime) 105mm Sigma f2.8 EX DG OS HSM intervalometer for taking subs Plan is to use the available tracking the Alt/Az mount gives me. Location is our back garden bortle 6 with approx 10 degrees of obstruction from 0 in all directions. The real questions behind all of this are: What setup should I start with to learn this trade (OTA or Piggyback with lens) What DSO would you recommend for that setup? My goal is to hone my skills on a target that I can find easily with the go to alignment/tracking and then have a clear plan to test a pre-planned list of exposure times to better learn where the limits of trailing etc happens with my setup. I am hoping this will avoid me wasting more nights shooting 100+ subs that are mostly black and when stacked show very little. In terms of future investment thoughts if I use the OTA: bhatinov mask Focal reducer f6.3 Astronomik CLS Clip in filter I've tried to be as thorough and as clear as possible, and I'm sure there will be many follow up questions, or pointers to gaps in my thinking and resources I have yet to find. Appreciate any and all support.

Oh you are not helping me spend any less money on this hobby! That said, I fully enjoyed my hour or so moving about the moon last night, when I realised the promised fog hadn't materialised! Goes to show that if you don't try you don't get...

Just managed to catch a glimpse from the spare bedroom with my 3 year old. His “woah” was worth it!

That's a welcome reminder to sign up to Reading as it's my closest one!

Hi Everyone, I've just been gifted a Nexstar 8 SE for my 40th and have tried to make the most of the last two clear nights! Lots to learn and I suspect buy. Thanks to all those that post as I've been reading avidly for the past week, and thanks in advance for the future questions coming your way!