happy-kat

under Resources, Astronomy Tools (top of page) you can enter your telescope and DSLR and select image and the Moon to see what size it would be.

practice without increasing magnification as increasing magnification will make manual tracking harder

What camera are you using?

Have a look at the No EQ DSO Challenge thread @Lotinsh there is an active contributor who is using the heritage 130p telescope and has shared their approach to nailing focus.

There are two flatteners available, both work well, only one has enough back focus for a DSLR

maybe the tripod legs have a base plate onto which you could mount a tripod head like this perhaps

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe-alt-azimuth-mount.html

Hi, can your spotting scope take a different diagonal, only your current one might be 45 degrees angle and for astro use you would likely find a 90 degree diagonal more comfortable to observe with.

If you already have a phot tripod or similar you use it on you might find with a camera ball head you could use it for astro use as a altaz mount. 

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/387654-dithering-with-sw-az-gti/

Averted vision is something to practice on as it is what we use to see faint objects in our telescopes or binoculars. Looking directly at an object in the night sky is less easy to see then when using averted vision. By nature of how our eye is made up the vision just off centre is way more light sensitive, so this is what we can learn to use when observing with our telescopes looking at deep space objects. Practice using averted vision on the Orion nebula, a nice big target to learn with.

covering the head with towel can help dark adaption, not using a phone can help, sitting quietly and waiting for good seeing moments, not using too much magnification and using averted vision can all help

I think I would read up on how to make the most of observing under light polluted skies to see if you can get more out of what you already have and get a better understanding on what changes would make the biggest difference.

You could also research if your country has import and duty taxation rates, or other import charges on an item you are thinking of buying overseas

you don't need to register to play youtube video
 

I think astronomy shed have a remove and fettle guide for the ST80 on youtube

I would try without the barlow, as you have a truss scope with the virtuoso I would not extend it fully if it were needed to reach focus. The DSLR shutter release cable for this mount works a treat with the synscan pro app and my Canon.

Do you use a dew shield, or was there an outside light light on, or was the Moon around. 

Field rotation does not stop people having a go, working around it (star trails are the other end of working with it) and keeping expectations proportionate opens the possibility of trying.

Often overlooked is you do not need to use an EQ mount if you just want to expand and dip toes into using what you may already have, AltAz tracking imaging is possible so even the azgti can be left as factory when expanding the user experience.

Your virtuoso mount, I think you have the v2 through can't recall if 150p or 127mak, tracks in tiny left right up down movements so follows the target but doesn't track the rotation and you can image working within the mount's capabilities.

East to West and ideally under 55 °  is best as South or North star trails show faster. When stacking in say DSS choose intersection as that'll trim off the bits that don't overlap and some field rotation from the edges.

The longer the focal length used the shorter the exposure you'll likely get before star elongation shows. Though stacking using kappa sigma clipping helps round stars back.

Have fun have a go.

Being elastic in seeing potential in less I find rewarding. 

where the flats taken at the same time as the lights with nothing moved?

Is that using the tak and assuming you want to image as you mention the eq wedge how heavy are all the other items you might add like camera and possibly guide scope? How long is your tak 102?

On the No EQ Imaging Challenge thread there's a member imaging using the mount left in AltAz mode staying within the limitations that presents.

Ooo very nice charity in the first image

It's bitterly cold so went on the practicing kit arrangement option, unfortunately the testing to see if I can extend the camera usb otg cable wasn't a success back to pondering that one. Getting that sorted removes the need to be outside, though whilst I know I've other options I'm sticking with exhausting can I make what I'd rather use work for now.