RT65CB-SWL

For comparison of 0.965" vs 1.25" I have attached the image below of my 0.965"/6mm Ortho and a 1.25" adaptor. The good news is there are adaptors and star diagonals that have a 0.965" nosepiece and accept 1.25" eyepieces... so not so bad news after all. They are or should be available from the usual sites... i.e. Ebay, Amazon, AliExpress, etc., if your local astro-dealer does not stock them.

As per what @Tiny Clanger says above.

Hi @Sweet dreams and welcome to SGL. You could try either of these filters to improve your viewing experience... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-filters/baader-neodymium-filter.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-filters/baader-contrast-booster-filter.html or even a variable polarising filter may help on the brighter planets. I have and use this type... and would be the cheaper option.

I give my C6/SCT and 're-modded' ETX105 about 30-40 minutes minimum. Maksutov's and SCT's have long focal lengths and maybe a limiting factor when imaging DSO's on a goto mount. You can use a FF/FR* with the SCT and bring to f6.3 using an f10 'scope, though not sure what it would be on a Maksutov. My ETX105 is f14 without a focal reducer and there is not a dedicated FF/FR for them [that I am aware of] but it still would be 'slow'. * FF/FR = field flattener/focal reducer.

Hi @CotswoldsBloke / Nick and welcome to SGL.

...and to quote the old adage/saying: "...aperture is king!" 😁

My partner/lady-friend says the same thing to me when I wish to purchase a piece of astronomy related equipment/kit. 😜 She says that as well! 🤪 I can think of nothing better and rewarding than actually viewing something through your own ‘scope and eyes rather than than looking at it via a LCD or CRT screen. 😁

The planets at the time of writing are morning objects and to make it even more infuriating they are not very high up. To get the best views download SkySafari [available on iOS or Android OS] or SkEye [available on Android OS only]. Also, if your porch is south facing, then that is a start, as this is where all celestial bodies will reach the highest point within the celestial sphere. You may wish to consider purchasing a monopod or tripod to mount your binoculars when viewing too. Many binocular brands have a removable cap on the front hinge if they are small/medium size, so you can attach an ‘L’ bracket. Bigger binoculars have a central bar and support point for attaching to a monopod or tripod. If you want ‘luxury’ then there is the parallelogram [these are not cheap] and a sun-lounger. A ‘cheapskate’ solution for a support is an upturned soft broom/brush with the head wrapped in a cloth/duster. Above are images of my 7x50’s and 20x80’s.

For lunar & planetary viewing Mak’s and SCT’s are hard to beat. Two of the biggest ‘downsides’ of owning either a Mak or SCT are… dew magnets, (a dew shield is a ‘must have’ accessory)… and they take a long time to cool down if taken outside, from a warm to cold environment. I usually allow 30 to 40 minutes before viewing. Don’t let that put you off, as no ‘scope does all in this hobby. One of the biggest ‘upsides’ is that the eyepiece is at a comfortable position for viewing when sat on a chair/stool or standing. Image above of my C6/SCT and ‘re-modded’ ETX105 mounted on a Tele-Optic Giro.

Hi @bigben83 and welcome to SGL. I don't know whether Steve Collingwood http://sctelescopes.com/ can help/assist/advise, etc. BTW - Nice 'scope.

I don't know if it is true, but I heard a story that the Australian Gov't. 🇦🇺 [at the time], fined NASA for the clean-up operation when Skylab left a debris field 'scattered' across their country.

I use one of these Lezyne Femto rear cycle lights... and attach it to one of the spreader arms in 'flash mode' when I attend a star party pointing downwards and gives a wide ground cover and prevents people walking/crashing into my tripod/telescopes.

I agree with what has been said above by other SGL’ers. Unfortunately no ‘scope does all in this hobby and some of us have more than one ‘scope... I myself have three. If it is going to be a surprise gift and you do not want him to know about it, then this guide may help… https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes.html

TriAtlas will fill a blank CD-R if you download all volumes/parts… plus if you have an Apple iPhone or iPad it is available via the App Store. Also available as an iPad/iPhone app is Star Charts. It is a digital version of Wil Tirion’s Uranometra 2000.0

Yes... they are very nice! ...(and so is the Tele-Optic Giro). 😜

Hi @Aryan. I have the 6mm version of the 6mm as shown above. Though mine has a of black tapered nosepiece, rather than the safety undercut and shown inserted my TeleVue Ranger's star diagonal. (click image to enlarge). Depending on your budget you may wish to consider these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen-eyepieces/vixen-npl-eyepieces.html or these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html - though I am not sure whether these two brands are available in Indian astronomy shops and dealerships or price. The BST series are popular budget e/p's here in by some SGL’ers here in GB/UK.

Hi @nhussa22 and welcome to SGL. There is nothing wrong with using binoculars to start off. Though I would avoid zoom binoculars. There are plenty of astronomy apps for computer, tablet, smarphone use out there too... some are free and some you have to pay for after a trial period expires. Like most things in life, it’s deciding which one!

Hi @Longy717 and welcome to SGL. I agree what other SGL’ers say about the SkyWatcher Heritage models (i.e. 130 & 150). If you are not in a rush, then I would recommend you read this article first... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-.html

Do I mention the other 'scope brand beginning with a capital 'T' ? ...TeleVue 😜

Being on a rooftop, you may experience thermals/eddies from the apartment below, so be prepared for that. Also if the apartment below, is not yours, just warn the owner just in case they inform the local pest control or local police dept. SWAT team... just in case they hear 'strange' noises in the middle of the night coming from the roof. If you do buy the NexStar 6SE Telescope, I would take someone along with you that knows what to defects to look for, ask questions, etc., unless the seller is an amateur astronomer upgrading to something bigger. Also you will need a dew shield if it does not have one. You can DIY and make one from an exercise floor mat or similar material or purchase one ready made and have them heated. Image above of my 're-modded' ETX105 with dew shield attached. BTW - I could not resist adding this...

Have you had a look here? - https://www.celestron.com/pages/support

If your apartment has a balcony, then I would suggest a Schmitt-Cassegrain [SCT} or Maksutov [MCT}... Images above of my C6/SCT and 're-modded' ETX105. Also you may wish to consider a refractor... Images above of my TeleVue Ranger. ...or maybe one of these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/heritage/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/heritage/sky-watcher-heritage-150p-flextube-dobsonian-telescope.html Still confused as to what to buy? - then read this first... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes.html

Hi @Goldfinger and welcome to SGL. When you have decided on your intended 'scope purchase, please do not rush out and purchase from a high street store, (often located in a retail park), that sounds like an Indian sub-continent meal; a warehouse site that is named after a south-American river; or the well known auction/discount sites, etc. BTW - 'Chapter 11'... what is it? - to a non-US 🇺🇸 resident... https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-11-bankruptcy-basics or here... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_11,_Title_11,_United_States_Code

TeleVue Nagler's have an 82deg AFOV and Panoptic's have a 68deg AFOV. A Barlow lens with a removeable front element may work. Though I rarely use use my Barlow lenses with my C6 or ETX105, (the plus side is that it will be a little lighter weight-wise, as you will have removed the body). I tend to use the Astro-Engineering 'MagniMax' [1.6x}... part number: AC555 with a 1.25" e/p nosepiece.

How about the TeleVue 13mm Nagler? - I have type 1 & type 6 and use either one in my C6/SCT or 're-modded' ETX105. Lastly I find the TeleVue 3-6mm Nagler zoom is a superb piece of optical engineering, but at 50deg AFOV it may well be a bit limiting as well as tight eye relief. Using the FOV calculator in the Astronomy Tools section at the top of the page and using M13 as an example (image below) it is greater than >240x at 6mm and less than <500x at 3mm, which is way to much for my ETX105. <--- TeleVue 13mm Nagler and 3-6mm Nagler zoom FOV comparison.