KGX

Hey everyone, took my first ever nebula photo the other night, nowhere near perfect obviously, but excited to be underway. I have attached the full image and a cropped/zoomed in section here. It's just one frame, approx 30sec exposure. (Celestron8 EdgeHD on a SW AZEQ6) I noticed the stars all have a flat edge. Is this a collimation thing? I thought I had got the shadow nicely centered, but possibly it needs some more fine tuning? Just wanted to check in case it's a different issue, before I send myself collimation-crazy for no reason Would like to sort before I get stuck into multiple frames and DeepSkyStacker Thank you.

Thank you, Paz. Much appreciated 👍

I just bought a desiccant cap for my Celestron EdgeHD SCT, wondering at what point it should be attached? Should I: - attach it before moving the scope inside? and leave it fitted until the next session? - bring the scope inside but initially leave the back of the OTA ‘open’ while things dry out, and then fit before storage? What procedure works best when bringing a cold scope indoors? Thanks so much!

Yes, I agree with John. I purchased a Celestron X-Cel LX series 18mm eyepiece for my 130slt. A nice lens (and becomes 9mm with a 2x Barlow).

I used to have a Celestron130slt and 100% you should be able to achieve focus with the 9mm. In fact the entire moon should be perfectly framed in the FOV at that (x72) magnification.

All I can add is that the collimation photo makes me happy. Nice work. Contemplating the x0.7 reducer for my EdgeHD 8 too.

That makes sense, the software is far more accurate, and I also appreciate that using Polaris to check / set the RA is a bad idea as it's so close to 90 DEC. This, in the end, is really a rather pointless thread (sorry!) about the (unnecessary) use of setting rings in conjunction with CdC & EQMOD 😬 ...so I've retitled it.

ok, thanks, yes, that's my park position. Would I be right in saying that if the mount performs a meridian flip then the RA setting ring would display the 'time' minus 12hrs?

Hi everyone, confused and need some help on this one. I have an AZ-EQ6 Pro Skywatcher mount. Set up in it's EQ configuration I calibrated the RA and DEC rings as 0hr RA and 90 DEC. Home position. Testing in the daytime: - I open Cartes Du Ciel and EQMOD, so the mount thinks it is pointing at the North Celestial pole. - I slew to Polaris (which should be 2h55m RA and 89 Dec), the DEC reading looks good, but the mount actually slews counter-clockwise, when looking from behind the mount (ends up at approx 19hr50m RA, on the RA ring). Surely it should rotate clockwise to 2h55m RA? What have I done wrong? I'm not using the handset at all, as this mount allows direct USB connection to the laptop. Thanks, KG

Just got the Az-Eq6. Great mount, lots of capacity and nice to have the Az option for quick viewing sessions. Can even add a second scope in that set-up.

I’m using a C800 EdgeHD SCT with the Az-Eq6 mount. Have kept the packaging so I can store the scope and mount separately in their cut foam / boxes when not in use. Thanks for the advice re: storing with the objective cell up (usually, I just keep it level). Any chance of lubricant dripping down onto the corrector / secondary if kept upright?

Hi Philip, thanks so much for the response.

Quick question on EQ mount storage. Is it ok to lift, move and store with the clutches engaged? Much easier to handle this way, but maybe this could damage the gears? Very basic question but can't find anything online, and there's nothing in the manual (SW AZ-EQ6). Thanks, KG