rwilkey

Hi there, the 30mm will be your best eyepiece to view the night sky, the maximum useful magnification of your telescope is 140x. The 4mm eyepiece supposedly gives 175x (700/4 - focal length/eyepiece size) and therefore this is exceeds the capability of the telescope (twice the aperture 70x2=140x) - you might get something out of it if you point it at the Moon, but the 8mm will be more useful. Good luck & clear skies!

To me, it's all to do with eye relief, if you wear spectacles to view then this is more important, but note that the Explore Scientific eyepieces generally have short eye-relief, of the 62° Series only the 20, 26, 32 & 40mm eyepieces have long eye-relief, which means you may struggle with the three shorter focal lengths (5.5, 9 & 14). It takes a little while to get used to using eyepieces and understanding their various characteristics, but if you have a local astronomy club perhaps you can talk to others and possibly try out their eyepieces?

Hi Cosmic Monk and welcome from me too. Good luck & clear skies!

Hi Mark, I really enjoyed that, thanks for posting!

Hi Rob, if you want to stay with Equatorial I would suggest the EQ5 DeLux for a really stable platform, found here: https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-eq5-deluxe-mount-tripod.html The website indicates that it is in stock, whereas many suppliers are out of stock. Good luck and clear skies!

Hi there, are you allowing sufficient cool down time for the scope, like you on these cold nights I don't like being out there too long. Stick the scope out at least half an hour before viewing, at a good angle so it doesn't dew up.

Hi there and a warm welcome from me too. Good luck & clear skies!

Hi there, and welcome, the question of observing quasars and black holes are the subject of professional telescopes, however, galaxies and planetary nebulae etc are well within the reach of amatuer telescopes. Good luck & clear skies!

Hi SSR and a warm welcome from me. I would recommend a refractor on an alt-az mount for low maintenance and ease of use. Something like this to get you into the hobby: https://agenaastro.com/sky-watcher-102mm-startravel-alt-azimuth-refractor-telescope-s10100.html Please note that many telescope suppliers are out of stock at the moment and if you order you may have to wait awhile to get a delivery. Good luck & clear skies!

Hi Bob, a warm welcome from me way down south. Good luck & clear skies!

Hi Paul, a warm welcome from me way down south. That's a great picture of the Moon, one of the best first timer's I've ever seen, well done. Good luck & clear skies!

Hi Baldy Man, a very warm welcome from me way down south. Good luck & clear skies!

Hi Andy, welcome back! Clear skies are just a dream now, I think, but enjoy the journey and let us know how you get on.

Hi MB, a warm welcome from me too, way down south. Good luck & clear skies!

Hi there, welcome from me too. Good luck & clear skies!