phil18

I have the Skywatcher 150p and it came with the standard free eyepieces  plus a 2× Barlow.

I now wish to upgrade my eyepieces and I have ordered a 2x barlow from Svbony already this week.

What make would you recommend with a budget say of £40 an eyepiece, what size eyepieces would you recommend too?

Many Thanks

41 minutes ago, malc-c said:

My gut response was learn to walk before running 🙂

You would need the synscan goto option as a minimum.  The motors in the synscan upgrade are more precise and the system permits connection to PC based software to handle target selection, tracking and camera control.  Thats not to say that you couldn't connect or place a camera (even your phone's camera) at the eyepiece and take single shots of the moon with your current RA drive

I currently use the DSLR attached to the 150p to photograph the moon plus Jupiter and her moons.

The issue I found is I need more exposure time to 2 minutes for more detail for the M42 .

I plan to use my camera and 200mm prime lens on the motorised  mount to shoot everything that is in close proximity, like M42 etc with 2 minute exposures.

I have a 150p with a RA mount attached, just waiting to use if with clear skies.

I have used the 150p without the motor previously and aldo fitted my DSLR via the T ring plus 2x barlow fitted. My photos had photos of M42 had star trials then I read about my problem with long exposures so hence now I have a motor.

The problem is I am using a X2 barlow so my field of view is narrowed down expecially if photographing the moon.

Is it possible to fit a x1.5 barlow lens to my 650d  camera, I have would have a wider field of view?

I also know the length of a the barlow lens has to remain the same so I can focus with my DSLR.

7 hours ago, bosun21 said:

When you can view Polaris in the centre of your polar scope then you are spot on. This is close enough for visual astronomy.

Thanks,

What about astrophotography?

3 hours ago, bosun21 said:

Ensure that you have set your latitude to your location with the latitude bolts on the mount otherwise you won’t be able to align on Polaris correctly. 

Yes, I found out it is 54.4-  but the dial on the mount runs in two's so it's not very accurate?

3 hours ago, malc-c said:

If its just the basic motor drive kit and not the Synscan goto then yes.  

Its not a simple case of aligning the N on the tripod with North. You need to polar align the RA axis using the polar scope in the mount.  Once aligned, release the clutches and move the scope to the target then lock the clutches and engage the drive.  If your alignment is good then the object should stay within the field of view for visual observation.

Many Thanks

Just need clear skies to give it ago

Hi all,

Mr Novice here.

I have got a Skywatcher 150p telescope and now fitted a Skywatcher RA motor to the EQ3-2 mount.

As I understand it I how have to line up the  "N" on the tripod/mount to the polaris star?

Do I then manually move the scope to  locate Orions belt, once I have got it in the eyepiece start the RA motor?

Have I got the above right?