Edward Dewolf

I am getting desperate under Covid curfew over here in Belgium and started eyeing solar observations which I can do during the day off course

Understanding the slightly risky nature of solar observations, is there a safe way to observe the sun with the gear I already have, enhanced with some filters and dedicated finder scope?

I have a skywatcher 150/750 and a skymax 127. 

Anyone can share some experiences or advice on what to do next/best in the safest way

Thank you for helping

Edward

Thank you al for the feedback, lots to look into, but that is what this hobby is all about !

Hi,

I started imaging with a ASI294MC-PRO from a Bortle class 5 zone.

Can anyone help me how to find out what the best combination of gain and exposure length would be to image galaxies and nebulaes?

How does one figure that out?

Thx for helping

Edward

5 minutes ago, carastro said:

Is that a OSC camera you have?

If so I think the Optolong duaband filters are very good as they enable Ha and Oiii to be captured all in one on a coloured camera.

Carole   

Thank you Carol, I have been eying that one for when I want to do some narrow band later on in the year 🙂

Hi,

I have collected more and more gear over time as I discovered astrophotography.  I recently got an ASI294MC-pro camera and am now faced with the last choice of material (for now 🙂 ): filters

I have read how people say: the best filters are those you use most, but that does not help anyone starting without filters.

I am mostly interested in photographing DSO's: nebulae and galaxies, most often from a Borttle class 4 location, sometimes from home class 8

I understand I need a IR/UV cut filter as standard

But then I am looking for a light pollution filter.  I hear and see discussions about UHC filters, IDAS, CLS, L-pro or other filters, all filtering more or less signal.  I understand all the different city might, but also that more and more cities are starting to use LED lights so  the million dollar question:

What should I get?

I understand you cannot choose for me, but maybe you have some insight in how you chose?

Thx

Edward

Just now, John said:

Do you use GOTO to find your targets ?

Yes I do

13 minutes ago, Robindonne said:

Also prefer the red dot finder.  And especially one that can be adjusted in brightness.  I think it depands on what you end up doing that night.  My first nights of only visual, and doing a 3 star alignment, it was -rdf-finderscope-mainscope. Once aligned i only use the rdf.  
 Now when beginning to move to ap, the finderscope is never with me anymore. The start procedure is 3 star alignment using rdf and screen of the camera(app) instead of the finderscope.  

Must say that im glad to have a raci next to my standard finder.  I think a must-have part of the standard arsenal.

Oh and when you have to buy a rdf, i would suggest one that has the small bracket with one screw.  The rdf has an arc shaped slot in it and it seems to always find it previous position. And the bracket isn’t like a bay window sized normal bracket

I should have have maybe mentioned that I use my main scope for astrophotography with a guide scope.  Would that change much?  Would a red dot finder be good enough then?

Thank you for your responses

I already have a guiding scope, adding 2 more seems a bit much, but I'll try to find space .

I also have the skywatcher red dot finder, but I cannot get it fixed to a spot in the sky, there always seems to be just too much give to make it usable.  You have the same experiences?

Hi,

I am looking for a new illuminated finder scope.  Skywatcher has a 9x50 or a 6x30 illuminated scope.  Why would I want one or the other?  Or should I go for a red dot finder without magnification?  How does one choose the right finder?

Thx for helping

Edward

4 hours ago, Star Struck said:

FLO sell a M54 adapter from Astro Essentials to replace that part. It uses a brass compression ring.

It is almost certainly the same thickness as the set screw one you have removed.

FLO helped me out and I indeed chose for a solution similar to this

Thanx for your help !

On the first attached image, you can see the thumb screw mechanism to fix eyepieces or cameras to my reflector

On the second image you can see how I can remove it and I was wondering if there was a component I could replace this one by so I can screw my camera on instead of having to clamp it on with the thumb screws

I ope this clarifies

Hi,

I have a Skywatcher 150/750pds Newtonian.  it uses thumb screws to attach eye pieces or cameras.  I just bought a new camera an was wondering if there was any more secure attachment mechanisms, like a screw-on type of attachment that comes with lots of reflectors.

I noticed that the attachment component with the thumb screws actually can be screwed off from the Tube.  Does anyone know by what components I can replace in order to have a screw-on attachement mechanism for my camera?

Thx for helping

Edward

16 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

The downside of controlling by an app on a phone is winter and cold fingers!

Touch screen enabled gloves, easy hacks for those

Thank you ! 

Hi,

I ahve been taking my first basic images for a whlie now and I am looking to upgrade.

A new camera is underway, but I also was looking for a coma corrector for my Skywatcher 150/750PDS reflector.

Can anyone advise once?

Thx

Edward

Hi,

I got a skymax 127 telscope and a ASI120MC planetary camera and was wondering if the ASIAIR could help me with the imaging of the planets.  I have managed to take photos but I understand I need to record video of the planets for it to be processed into a higher quality picture.  Can the ASIAIR record video or do I need other means?

Thanx for helping

Edward

last question Is there a way to figure out (besides guessing) if a clamp will fit on a dovetail bar?  I would like to fit the following https://www.astroshop.eu/mounting-plates-and-rails/artesky-prismenklemme-vixen-style-150mm/p,61514 on a Skywatcher HEQ5 dovetail bar, but I do not see how to make sure it will fit

thx

Would anyone know what those black discs are called?  trying to find where to buy one ...

8 hours ago, Craney said:

You can use these to attach a dovetail bar between the rings to mount a larger guider etc...  or use as a carry handle for the Newt.

That is what I am looking for.  I have the guidescope and the rings for it on a plate and the dovetail bar.  I guess all that is left is getting a second one of those discs to go on the second tube ring, and then drill holes in the dovetail bar to attache the plate with the rings 🙂 Thx! 

Would anyone know what holder shoes would best fit on those tube rings?  not just flat ones, but holder shoes that clamp around the tube rings preferably?

Quote

thank you, will be taking them off

Does anyone know what the purpose is of the black round disc on the screw of the back tube ring on skywatcher reflectors?

Thank you?

Thank you all for your input, I got it my battery and charging setup completed in the basement !

Hi,

So I got a telescope and a mount and I have had a load of fun so far.

I finally replaced my Celestron 7Ah Powertank with a proper deep cycle battery 12V 72Ah

My question: is there anything i need to put in between the battery and the mount to protect it?  Like to protect it from too much Amps due to some shortcircuit?  What do you guyz do?

Thx

Edward

Is it bad NOT to leave them on such a charger and do it only once in a while?  like a month?