Benjam

I took this earlier, only using a iPhone and smartphone adapter over the eyepiece. Tomorrow’s forecast for my area of Wiltshire looks promising, maybe a few clouds but mainly sunny. I did buy a ZWO ASI 224MC USB 3.0 Colour Camera over the weekend but I’ll stick with my trusty dslr tomorrow, having not used a ccd camera before.

You couldn’t of posted this at a better time for me. I’ve just brought a piggyback mount, which I intend to use my Canon 1300D + entry level 70/300mm lens and capture Andromeda. Great photo

I use the standard 40mm eyepiece and these ( 9mm & 12mm) from Celestron with my 8 Edge Hd. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-eyepieces/celestron-x-cel-lx-eyepiece.html

A dew hood will hold the dew at bay and give you a little longer time then not having one. Eventually you will succumb to dew unless you have dew heaters. I have a SCT and use a 8” dew band at the top just below the glass and a 2” band, either around my focal reducer or my eyepiece. Haven’t had a dew problem since, a worth while investment.

I initially thought it was a photo, till I read the text.

My declination issue is now fixed. Martin from Flo, very kindly suggested I use a front counterweight made by ADM (£52).

Thanks Kev, I’ll have a read tomorrow.

Thank you for coming to my rescue I can’t actually find anyway of buying Christophe Pellier’s book. However I did manage to signup to his newsletter (Get successful Planetary images).

Hi Im looking for any recommendations for a planetary imaging book for a beginner? I’ll be using a 8 Edge HD scope, Altair GPCAM2 290C Colour Guide Astronomy Imaging Camera and a 2x Barlow lens. I’ve read “Make Every Photon Count” for DSO, but now I’m interested in planetary imaging too. Thank you Ben

Just subscribed to your channel (19th) The William Optics Zenithstar 73 APO scope looks awesome in blue, it’s on my wish list....

Ok, Thank you. If I decide to change my dslr over to a CCD camera, would that make any difference?

Thanks for the advice and link Merlin, it kinda made things clearer. So i need a OAG and guide camera? The Edge HD comes with mirror locks, so I haven’t noticed any slop before. ATB Ben

I’ve just recently completed my observatory build, please correct me if I’m wrong Good clear views to the south. Any obstruction below 30% is ok, the higher you look, the cleaner the sky is. If you can see Polaris in the north, this will help you polar align. While it’s currently dark outside, maybe it’s worth looking at properties after 4pm to get a feel for the night sky. ATB Ben

Please excuse my ignorance but I just presumed any guide scope / guide camera would mount on top of the scope and get the job done. I’ve been looking at these packages here, https://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/sky-watcher-evoguide-50ed-guidescope-zwo-asi120mm-bundle.html here https://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/starlight-xpress-lodestar-x2-autoguider.html and here https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/altair-60mm-guide-scope-gpcam2-package.html#SID=1729 but now I’m totally confused... My camera is a Canon 1300D and I’m running this setup What I’m confused with, is....... I presumed the guiding setup and the imaging setup were two completely separate systems. ATB Ben

Sorry AVX mount

I’m looking for a Auto Guide scope and Guide Camera package, to fit on a 8 Edge HD. I’ve been looking on various UK websites and seen plenty of cool looking Astro gear, but to be honest, I’m clueless on what to buy. My budget is £400 All advice and knowledge will be appreciated as always Ben

I spent sometime also on the South Island at Lake Tekapo, the international dark sky reserve. Sitting in the hot thermal pools, looking up at the Milky Way. Never made it to Kaikoura, Cyclone Gita washed the roads away...

I had a similar magical experience sleeping under the stars in the Australian red centre. My first time too seeing the Milky Way. Enjoy

Thank you Andrew

I’m having trouble balancing my scope in Dec, it’s only ever a problem when I’m imaging. With the clutches loose, my scope just wants to point upwards, It seems i need to add more weight to the lens end of the scope, is this possible? and is there something available to buy?? Attached to the backend, I have finder scope, Starsence camera, focuser, focal reducer, dslr and dew heating kit. I use my dew hood to try and counter balance the scope, which is fine if I’m observing as I don’t have my dslr and focal reducer attached. Eventually, I will buy hyperstar and a ccd camera which will attach to the front and over come my issue, I’m just wondering if anything can be done in the meantime. Ben

So maybe with a bit of software editing, I maybe on to something?

I had a quick attempt with DSS, having not used it before. I stacked my lights, darks and bias frames together, I don’t have any flats as of yet. Anyway here’s a quick screenshot, I’m not sure what to make from it. I think sadly i have star trails, but that’s as far as my limited knowledge goes. ISO 1600, 90 second exposures. Ben

Funny enough, I have a entry level 300mm lens that came with my DSLR. Did you take that stunning image of Andromeda above? Ben

How important is it for a guide scope and camera? I think last night I may have had star trails from 90 second exposures. When I zoom in, the stars definitely look like maggots. I am saving up for the Starizona Hyperstar for my Edge HD, which has a focal of 1.9 and supposedly 20 x faster. So I’m only guessing and thinking that I’ll be able to take 30 / 40 second exposures and not worry about star trails? Ben

Thank you, it gives me confidence. Just out of curiosity, what equipment would I need to capture the whole spiral? Ben