Saketh

Hi, I have a Skywatcher ED80 refractor which had a field flattener that screwed to the scope's focuser. Basically the telescope side of the field flatter has a female M56 (56mm) thread. The focuser had a 56mm male threading and both of them screwed together. I had a problem with the focuser and I bought an upgraded OVL focuser which in itself is very good. But the problem is it doesn't have a threading, but only accepts 2" nose pieces. So I am looking for an adapter with male M56 (56mm) thread at one side and a standard 2" nose piece at the other end. I tried to do a lot of searching on the web, but I wasn't able to fid anything. Is anyone aware of anyone selling such an adaptor? Or if there is any alternate solution to the problem? Saketh

Here is the uncropped version:

I am more or less a newbie and started both observing and imaging less than a month ago. I have imaged the ring nebula for the first time last night and I would like to know what the problem is so that I can improve. My kit is: SkyWatcher 150P-DS on HEQ5 Pro mount Canon 600D unmodded with 2x Barlow (2" Explore Scientific) Image settings: ISO 800 Lights: 68 x 60s Total Exposure: 1 hour 8 minutes 20x dark, 20x flat and 20x bias frames It has been stacked using Deep Sky Stacker with recommended settings Slightly processed in Gimp - very basic using curves and levels. This is a cropped image almost at the centre of the frame. The left side of the image seems to have sharp (ish) stars, while the right side of the image are bit of a donuts. I tried to focus a lot, but couldn't get it right. Wondering it is my ability not to focus correctly or is it coma or is it my scope's collimation or something else? Regards, Saketh Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/26122118@N00

I wouldn't probably have to unmount/mount when doing it at the back garden. But I may have to swap between back and front back gardens depending on what my target is, but it is unlikely that it will be on a single night. However the light pollution where I live is quite high. So I am planning to drive to some countryside once in a while - may be once a month is what I imagine. So mobility factor is moderate I would say. Thanks very much for responding. Those are some good points. I will consider them in my weight age matrix - it is a tough thing to make a decision 😄. Incidentally I already thought about the point you made about eyepiece position of a Newt on and EQ mount and read about various workarounds people have been doing. But that surely was a compromise that I thought I could make.

Thanks very much for responding. Those are some good points. I will consider them in my weight age matrix - it is a tough thing to make a decision 😄. Incidentally I already thought about the point you made about eyepiece position of a Newt on and EQ mount and read about various workarounds people have been doing. But that surely was a compromise that I thought I could make.

I am a newbie here and this is my first post! I have been a naked eye/binoculars stargazer for quite some time. Now I am planning to step into DSO astronomy - both Visual and AP. After a lot of research and deliberation, I have decided to buy a Newtonian and an HEQ5 mount. I have narrowed it down to 2 scopes - SkyWatcher Explorer 150 PDS and 200 PDS. I would like to know the inputs from the experts here if either has an advantage on the other. Specifically the following points: 1. Planetary Visual Astronomy 2. DSO Visual Astronomy 2. Planetary Imaging 3. DSO Imaging 150 PDS has a wider FOV, which probably makes better for viewing/imaging larger objects. But will it give a clearer image when magnified with EP? Thanks in advance for any pointers with this