CHR15

Thanks for your reply Lee. At the moment it's just a heritage 130p ota and an asi178mc camera. I'm planning on adding an asiair plus for basic eaa. Just being curious, what size ota do you have? Edit The ota is 3.2kg The camera is 120 grams Asiair plus is 220 grams The total is just over 3.5kg

If I turn my azgti into an eq mount, how do I calculate the the size of counterweight I need for my telescope? Or is it where you position the counterweight on the shaft that is the main way of balancing the scope?

Thanks for the links. This will keep me busy!

Hi, Just lately if it's clear outside, I'll go and set up my telescope. I'm ill prepared so I'll mostly look at the same targets over and over again. I need to make a list of some targets to try and search out. Do you find lists online or make your own? What are some good targets to search for? Currently I've done Andromeda, the ring nebula, Hercules cluster, E.T cluster, double cluster, pinwheel galaxy (by doing e.a.a), Albireo and the double double in Lyra. I've done the moon, Saturn and Jupiter and its moons. Any tips on this planning phase will be much appreciated. Thanks.

I've also got the heritage 130p. I use the 25mm which is supplied with the telescope but I replaced the 10mm with an 8mm bst starguider. I bought a 2x Barlow to accompany the eyepieces for a more broader range. Also, a cheshire collimator rather than a laser collimator, I heard to many stories about the laser itself being uncollimated. A diy light shroud also helps with contrast as it keeps out any stray light. The only other thing I have added is a tripod and mount. It's not needed but it means I can set up and view in a more comfortable position. My final piece of equipment is stellarium. This is great for finding your way around the sky.

Firstly, I wanted to see comet ztf. I used my 10x50 binoculars and starhopped my way to it. I found it easier than I thought I would, it looked like a dimmer version of Andromeda but with a very slight green hue to it. This alone had made my night. Secondly, I bought a book to get myself acquainted with the moon. 50 things to see on the moon by John A. Read. I like the fact it gives you targets to view depending on which day of the lunar month it is. As today is lunar day 9 I viewed Clavius, Plato and Eratosphenes. I really can't believe how much detail can be seen on the moon even with my little 130mm reflector.

Hello from the cloudy midlands. I have a 5" reflector and a pair of 10x50 binoculars. I've seen a handful of targets in the night sky and seem to keep going back to them over and over again. I need to start broadening my horizons I think.