Planetarian

I see, it makes sense now. Thank you both. I can set the NSEW button speed in the controller and wondering if that speed is applied to the camera guiding as well or just to the physical buttons in general? Have you got any recommendations for a basic guide camera / software combo that would do the job?

There's an 'AutoGuider' input in my controller, which looks like an RJ45 socket. As a beginner in astrophotography, I'm not sure if that needs to be connected to a computer which already has a guiding camera connected and use a software or to connect it directly to a camera. I've seen cameras with an RJ45 socket. Does that mean they can track stars automatically without connecting them to a machine? Also I know about guiding scopes with a separate camera, but not sure how to connect everything together. (I was thinking to have just one camera and use it for guiding at the same time, but I realised that during exposures it wouldn't be able to guide.) So at the moment I only have a tracking mount using this SkyWatcher controller (see below) and would love to get some guidance how to connect it up to a camera and software.

Thanks, that's reassuring.

Since you've flocked the tube, have you noticed lint from the flocking paper being collected on the mirror surfaces? I'm planning to flock mine, but a bit worried about residue.

After your comments, as I see, for a portable one the best could be an apo. refractor while for home use a large Newtonian or Dobsonian. For the most contrast/sharpness. Thanks for the replies!

I'm just a beginner, but looking at many photos and videos I have the impression that a refractor telescope can produce a little sharper, more crisp image, than a reflector one. Could this be just because some people don't collimate their reflectors well or is there really a difference in sharpness of the two types, let's say, with the same aperture and magnification? (I know there are many other factors like the material and coating of the objectives etc. )

Thanks for the info. It seems like the P1000 can't beat serious telescope setups, so still worth going with a proper rig instead of the camera.

Mainly the Moon. First I used the Super 10 that came with the telescope, then I tried my Ostara 10mm SWA 70 FMC which was a little better. Now that I'm thinking about it, it might be possible that the secondary mirror got steamed up somewhat from be breathing while observing. As the tube is extended, there's nothing between my mouth and the secondary mirror. I might try to add some kind of shield next time. I'm thinking to get a Bahtinov mask as well.

Yes, outside, cooled down. Without barlow. If I insert the two times barlow (metal, not too bad quality one) with the 10mm lens, I can still focus, maybe it's the contrast that gets less and the image seems less sharp to me. The sky was very light polluted as well. I'm gonna experiment more when it's fully clear outside.

The conditions were definitely not perfect, that must have been the issue then. Collimation was fine, optics quality is good too.

Just thinking how this setup would compare to normal astrophotography setups. Imagine a Nikon coolpix p1000 on an equatorial mount. Has anyone done that yet? As I saw in the YouTube videos about the camera, it has absolutely no chromatic aberration, so I assume it's got apochromatic lens. It's magnification is extremely good (125x with 16MP sensor). The aperture is quite small tho compared to many different refractors available. So what do you think about the idea: astrophotography with a Nikon?

Hi, I've got a Skywatcher Heritage 130p reflector, and if i insert anything less than 10mm eyepiece, the image won't get crisp. I guess it's normal, but as I'm very new to astronomy, I'd like to know what the sharpness depends on exactly. Is that the focal length (how fast the telescope is? ) or the size of the mirror and how much light it gathers? Or both affect it the same way? Are things the same with refractors in this regard? Thanks.

As there are almost 3000 satellites on orbit, I was wondering if they ever become an obstruction of our stargazing. I'm just a beginner and don't know much about it. Spacex has started the Starlink project which consists of thousands of satellites. Are those ever gonna be in the way when observing, or there's nothing to worry about? I know they won't be in focus but can decrease contrast i guess.

First Moon sighting with the Heritage 130p and a phone camera.

I'm at about 30 miles from the sea.