Puffafish

On 06/11/2021 at 16:16, Tiny Clanger said:

The answer is .... that  depends !

What do you want from a finder that the stock RDF doesn't give you ?  How do you use the RDF ? What sort of targets are you interested in ?

Heather

To be honest, I don't know what I want that the RDF doesn't provide. Every review I've seen of a scope with a RDF says that they'd replace the stock RFD, but no one can tell me why! Due to the lack of people I know with scopes, I'm asking for advice here!

The RDF does seem to do the job, but is a bit of a rough guide as to where the scope is pointing, even after I attempt to correct it (usually using Polaris). I'd seen a few things where people suggest a finder scope as a replacement, but I don't seem to see finder scopes in the sub-£70 price range.

So advice seems to be Telrad or the Rigel quickfinder... I have wondered about the Sky-Watcher's 9x50 Right-Angled Erecting Finderscope...

Is there a reason people aren't suggesting that?

I tend to look for the easy targets, as I'm just not that good at star hoppiy! Jupiter, Saturn, the moon (usually one of the easier to find) and the Orion Nebula and common things for me. Some day I hope to be able to find the Andromeda galaxy, which always seems to hide from me.

I have been content for the past couple of years using my "beginners scope" of a Skywatcher 130P, with the stock eye pieces plus a 7mm.

There have always been two very strong opinions about this scope and set up: "get new EPs" and "replace the red dot finder".

I've had a go with different EPs, but I've not really had brilliant viewing for them yet.

But the other big opinion of replacing the Red Dot Finder I haven't tested at all. What do people advise I replace it with? I'm guessing that finder scopes are the usual response, but I've yet to find anything suitable for sale (FLO sells some, but they seem to be higher spec'ed that my main scope!)

51 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

Hi does your mount have a motor or is it static?

 

Should have included that in the original post!

It's a static one, so multiple short exposures rather than fewer long ones.

Though there was a kit once upon a time which was supposed to quite easy to convert my mount to motorised which may be bought if I get into it.

Over the winter I got into playing with a phone mount on my telescope eyepiece and got some pictures of the moon... But not much else as there are always limitations on what a phone camera can do (and how well I can align the camera to the eyepiece).

If I was to upgrade to a camera to mount onto my scope, what should I be looking for? I have been tempted to give it a go with whatever I can find on ebay or similar, but don't want to buy something only to discover that it's lacking something important. The only thing I know to look for at the moment is to make sure there is a suitable mounting ring for the camera (a T ring I believe they're called).

My targets will probably be: Orion nebular, Jupiter and Saturn to start with. This is purely because these are targets I know I can find.

Scope: Skywatcher Explorer 130P (650mm focal length, 130mm diameter)

14 hours ago, Don Pensack said:

Yes, look for a long eye relief eyepiece so your camera lens can pick up the field.

Thanks, that is one of the things I have tried to look for, but not all the EPs seem to give a number to eye relief. I'm guessing that's either because it's tricky to give an accurate number to, or because it shows the EP's weakness maybe.

It's a bit like the field of view number, not all EPs seems to advertise that. But at least, when doing planetary viewing, that's less important than it is for DSOs (though will keep the planet in view for longer without having to move the scope).

So I was thinking about carrying out some astrophotography of some of the more esthetically pleasing planets. Due to my budget constraints, I was planning on doing it with my mobile phone, with a suitable mount and eyepiece. 

As I only have the stock 10mm, and 25mm EPs (and an aftermarket barlow) I was thinking about getting a new eye piece for this. I have a Skywatcher, 130P (130mm diameter, 650mm focal length).

I was looking at something like the 6mm Vixen NPL, or the 6mm Baader Classic, BST StarGuider ED (5 or maybe 8mm), Celestron X-Cel LX eyepiece (5 or 7mm), or maybe Sky-Watcher UWA (5, 6 or 7mm). But I've got no idea which would lend itself best for what I am attempting to do.

Any advice from the community?

14 hours ago, bomberbaz said:

Or buy a decent zoom eyepiece until you get used to everything.

I have wondered about getting a zoom lens, but always thought you compromised on quality to get the zoom action.

4 hours ago, John said:

This situation is facing all suppliers of astro equipment.

Ah right so it is covid related. I did wonder. I heard back in March that something like 70-80% of all screens worldwide are made within Wuhan district, so if you want a TV you may have to wait for a while! (Also had a major impact on my work getting circuit boards made, so I do understand the problem!)

2 hours ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

A 5mm BST Starguider will provide decent eye relief, a reasonable field of view of 60° and magnification of 130x

Yes I did think 5mm would be good, but I've got a 2x Barlow and a 10mm, so wanted to get something that would give a different sight.

3 hours ago, bomberbaz said:

You have a 130mm scope with a theoretical maximum magnification of 260, theoretical though.

Yes, I'd been told that before. I don't want to get a 3mm as that would then be right on the limit, so thought a 6mm would be good, as I can still get to 3mm with the Barlow but I still see an increase from the 10mm

31 minutes ago, Ruud said:

I got a 16mm Nirvana (82°) many years ago

Indeed they do a 7 and 4mm version, but the 4 is apparently on 40 day lead time, which does seem to be quite a common thing at the moment. Has something happened to lens supply?

3 minutes ago, bingevader said:

Do you have a budget in mind, because it depends what you mean by 'good'!?

AHH yes, cost... The good limiting factor in all life decisions. I was wondering about the Baader Classic  range which is £49, or the Vixen NPL, which is £38, or the Orion Expanse which was £45. But it may be that I need to spend £100 to get an EP worth getting (in which case I'll wait for now) or I can get a good one for less (which I doubt)

3 minutes ago, bingevader said:

Yes, more magnification might help, but the limiting factor (along with the size of the 'scope) will be the weather.

The weather has not been good for visual observations recently that is true. Also had issues with trees being right between me and other interesting things! Mars has been quite low in the sky when I've been viewing it, so that won't have helped either.

I was on a thread the other day discussing having a look at Mars. The end result of the conversation was that I may want to get a new eye piece for a higher magnification, around the 6mm range (currently got the stock 10mm and 25mm, along with an aftermarket 2x Barlow). But I am not sure how to choose a good lens. I know the dictionary definition of the various specs used, but not 100% sure what that means in real life.

As I'm looking at this particular eye piece for planet watching, I don't think field of view is that important, but I could be wrong.

Eye relief is that bit easier; the larger the number the better. As you can hold your eye further away to get a good image.

Some EP don't seem to list these stats on the websites, which makes choosing it that bit harder.

Is there any advice people can give me?

(I have a 130mm diameter, 650mm focal length reflector, from Skywatcher)

53 minutes ago, Owmuchonomy said:

Mars can be a bit underwhelming visually.  I'm sure you have a good idea of how to improve matters but here are a few tips:

1) Wait until its at its highest point in the sky thereby reducing the atmospheric interference

2) Make sure your scope is collimated

3) Use a red filter to improve surface detail views...

4) ...or use an ND filter to cut the brightness (high cloud cover helps attenuate views of bright planets too.)

The scope you have should be fine.

Thanks for those ideas, I hadn't considered a filter. Might give that a go!
You say the scope should be fine, but I do wonder about getting new EP

45 minutes ago, Pixies said:

And you have to sit comfortably at the eyepiece for a good length of time, in order to catch the moments of good seeing. Slowly your eyes/brain will start to distinguish features.

You'll need 100x magnification plus, too. I would say. Your scope is 650mm focal length? Perhaps a higher powered EP than your 10mm would be suitable. Higher magnification will dim the planet slightly too. I've had my best views at 150X - 200x recently. You won't necessarily need an expensive EP, though.

I know what you mean about keep watching to see more - I learnt that with Saturn and Jupiter!
I have been considering a new eye piece, I'm still debating what to get. The 6mm Vixen NPL Eyepieces seem to be sensible to me, as it is a bit more than the cheaper Skywatcher brand, but still within my budget. That'll make it x108 (or x216 with the barlow, which is probably more than is practical with the scope!)

So the other night, for  the first time in a long while (moving house, building work, renovations, getting married... Basically life got in the way for about 5 years) I got out my good trusty Skywatcher 130P (I think that's the model anyway) and popped it on my driveway to see what I could see.

First problems I've had noticed was that some trees had grown, and were slap bang between me and Saturn and Jupiter. So my original plan wasn't going to happen. Still, I had a look round, admired a couple of clusters and generally had a peer at what was happening. Then, as it's October and Mars is flavour of the month, I swung round to have a look.

And I must admit, it was disappointing. I know I only have stock lenses (25mm and 10mm) along with a 2x Barlow, but I was kind of hoping to see more than a "bit of an off white dot" as my wife put it.

I was looking at it pretty low in the sky, so lots of atmosphere. Using stock, rather than posh expensive, lenses. But I was still hoping for something more. 

Am I being too optimistic for seeing more from Mars with my equipment? I have been meaning to get myself something in the range of a higher end eyepiece, but not sure where's best to spend my money as far as that is concenred.