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On 11/05/2020 at 17:29, vlaiv said:

You can check it here:

https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/

I've compared two sensor sizes for you - APS-C and full frame:

I doubt that this scope is usable on full frame sensor without reducer / corrector, and even APS-C will benefit from it.

You can also use DSLR and dedicated astro camera to get full disk images with special technique - mosaics. In astronomy most objects are relatively static so you can take multiple images of different parts and stitch them together much like panorama images. If your camera does not have enough field of view to fit whole disk - you can always use this approach and in fact many people do.

If you visit lunar imaging section of the forums you'll discover that many images are made just like that, for example here:

Author used 3 panels to get image done.

Here it took 19 panels to get complete image:

 

Okay perfect, thanks so much for your help!

Those images are absolutely incredible...

Looking forward to sticking with this community for the long run!

Can't thank you enough,

Kind regards,

Andrew

13 hours ago, vlaiv said:

Hi Andrew and welcome to SGL.

If you are interested in planetary imaging Celestron Nexstar 6SE is very decent option (for visual astronomy as well).

Stacking software is something that you can either purchase or download for free. In fact, software most used for planetary type imaging is free (some require purchasing a license but you have free/open source alternatives). Most of software that you'll use accept donations as well - so you can donate some money to keep software evolving and being better.

Planetary imaging works by taking "a movie" - or rather fast succession of stills and then stacking those - or some of those "subs". You stacks ones that are not terribly ruined by atmospheric seeing. Software automates this for you and selects best N% of frames (you tell it how much subframes you want to stack). Then there is sharpening and post processing stage.

You can use DSLR to record a movie, but better option is to purchase dedicated astronomy camera for that. Not terribly expensive. 10MP celestron Neximage "eyepiece" - is one such camera, but I would recommend you to purchase something like this instead:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-cameras/zwo-asi224mc-usb-3-colour-camera.html

Or if you want a bit more resolution / larger sensor (but a bit more expensive):

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-cameras/zwo-asi-385mc-usb-30-colour-camera.html

You'll need a barlow lens (but not necessary - it will only help you reach maximum "zoom" that you can use) - don't go crazy on magnification and get x3 or x5 - x2 will be enough with your scope. Better yet - get telecentric lens like this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/explore-scientific-eyepieces/explore-scientific-2x-3x-5x-barlow-focal-extender-125.html

T ring is adapter to attach DSLR to your telescope. It converts from lens mount of camera to one of standard threads in astro applications - there are few most popular ones like T2 (so T ring is actually T2 ring ), M48 or 2" and 1.25" (which has M28 thread) T2 is M42 if I'm not mistaken but with fine pitch (regular M42 has 1mm while T2 has 0.75mm) - but take these as intro into what exists and not hard facts on mm sizes (I could be wrong - worth checking elsewhere).

T ring will be needed only if you plan to image with DSLR. Btw - It's worth doing for lunar if you want to go for whole moon shots instead close up - you can do that with regular images (not video) - just shoot bunch of them (like couple of dozen) and stack those. Sometimes people don't bother with stacking and just shoot couple of frames and pick the sharpest one.

Hope this helps, and I'm sure other members will contribute with their views and advice.

Thank you so much for your response! Some forums can be really hard to get good information out of, especially being new, so thanks so much for your help!

You've answered pretty much everything I could've asked for!

So ultimately I'd be looking at the Celestron 6SE, and also a 'camera eyepiece' thingo which you have linked above? But also like you said, I also would want a T ring for the lunar photography, and just another question, I was watching videos last night using this telescope, is it a good option to purchase a focal reducer for lunar photography? I was watching videos on how they would be awesome for like you said 'full moon shots' instead of close ups, or is there a better option? 

So from my understanding, obviously for the planetary photography the stacking and eyepiece cameras are the best option, without a doubt. However for the moon, would the stacking software and camera eyepiece be the better option for close up lunar too? then DSLR with a T ring and or (focal reducer) if I have the right idea, for further away shots? 

Thank you so much to the both of you for your replies!

Andrew 😄

Hi guys! 🙂

My name is Andrew, I only just stumbled across these forums just now! Couldn’t have come across a better community to help me with some questions I have!

So I’ve Come to the conclusion that I’m going to be buying a Celestron Nexstar 6SE telescope everything about it appeals to me. I currently own a much older manual celestron telescope and am ready for my first proper telescope!

I do plenty of photography and own a DSLR and am aware that with this telescope that it comes with a software that will record video of what you’re gazing at and stack the images if I’m correct?

because I’m familiar with normal photography and not so much with Astro photography I was wondering if anyone could help me out. For the stocking software, is that all the process completed within the telescope and no DSLR? Or is that recorded with the DSL are and then the software stacks? What kind of adapters would I need to be getting into AP? By the way I’m looking at mainly photographing the moon and hopefully get some awesome shots of the other planets too! 😄 not so much deep AP, as from my research I’ve gathered that this isn’t the greatest for it... anyways.

Is it better to use a DSLR and an adapter on the eyepiece for imaging? Or the stacking and what would I need for best result stacking images, especially of planets like Saturn and Jupiter?! Are the individual eyepiece attachments you buy for the telescope, cameras in themselves? What is aci?  I’ve got no clue! Haha a lot to learn!
 

I thought I was on the right track looking by myself for equipment and I came across the 10MP celestron Neximage eyepiece or whatever it is? I’m not entirely sure? And also what is a T ring? Is that a Dslr adapter? Does the stacking software come with the telescope or with additional purchases?!

Sorry for the bombardment of questions! Obviously I’m very excited to get going and am very keen on getting some equipment! Any answers are much appreciated!

Have a great day!

Andrew