Maclean156

Thanks so much. It's really helped.

Thank you. How does this software connect to my camera? Thanks

Scope is on an avx equatorial mount with starsense.

Hi all. After being out of stock for ages I've finally received my t adapter for my celestron edge hd 8 so I can now start taking photos of galaxies etc. I've am going to attach my nikon d5100 to the scope and was wondering what are good settings as a start point. ie how long should my exposures be? How many? General settings for this camera? What software to use? Plus any other useful advise thanks. I have an intevalometer I'm going to use with it.

Oh I see what you mean now. Thanks. I have starsense fitted to my scope so I don't think I need to do that but on the other hand it would be good to learn that in manual mode to add another skill to this hobby.

It's a stupid question but what's star hopping?

Hi Ade. Would be great to meet up. Just got to sort out a portable power supply and leave my light polluted garden haha.

Hi. Thanks for replying. Would be great to meet up with like minded people. I'm relatively new to hobby and I have lots to learn

Hehe thanks

Thanks for reply. I will order the 18mm eyepiece then and next month get the 12mm eyepiece. I also want to get a zwo camera also as want to enjoy both sides of this great hobby but camera choices are vast so will have to research that topic more as I want to do planet imaging and also things like andromeda etc.

This is for general observation, planets and galaxies and I really like the x cell 9mm which was recommended to me by Tring astronomy. Because I bought my edge 8 hd I get £35 off the next eyepiece from them. Love the view from the x cell so just wondering which next one I should get. Thanks

Hi everyone. I'm Steven from wallisdown. I'm quite new to astronomy. Had a celestron 5 evolution and loved it but have now upgraded to a celestron 8 hd edge with avx mount plus starsense. Just viewing in the back garden at moment but searching for a decent power bank so can take it out in the field. Glad there are people local to me here and don't feel so alone lol.

Hi all. I've a celestron 8 hd edge that came with a 40mm eyepiece. I bought a celestron x cell 9mm eyepiece and now want to purchase another x cell eyepiece. Would an 18mm one be a good choice? If not what would you recommend? Many thanks.

Thanks. Will look into it

So will that be enough power for my telescope and accessories? as I'm thinking of getting a zwo camera as well

Yes so pleased.....now all I have to do is get a decent power tank for it. Doesn't have to last all night just for about 4 hours out in the field somewhere. Any suggestions? Was thinking of the celestron li on for about £120 as don't want to get the expensive £200 one

So finally a clear night. Set scope up and started an auto align.....and........perfect. worked first time and calibrated perfect. Thanks a lot guys. So so pleased.

Still waiting for a clear night to see if it all works

All advise is very helpful. I have double checked and all OK thanks.

Thanks. Did that last night. I did an update with the original controller and it installed a few updates then again with the starsense attached again so now waiting for clear sky to test.

Thankyou for that info. Yes I know about using app separately to the controller. If I just use skyportal the controller is not connected and I use WiFi. If I use the controller I disconnect the WiFi. Using the above it was just the same result. So with manual align I just point at a place in the sky and press a button when prompted? Then do it twice more? I imagine this works for both controller and skyportal but obviously not at same time just one or the other. Once again guys thanks for all the help and all the new info I've learned off you. Just need clear skies now but none are here for ages in Bournemouth lol.

Ok I connected up with cpwi and can control through hand control and also WiFi. Looks like cloud again tonight so cannot test it tonight but all looks good. Why would I want to do a manual align? Doesn't that defeat the point of starsense? I only got starsense for its automatic functions. If I was going to do a manual align I might as well just use the normal hand controller surely?

Thanks so much for everyone's help. Much appreciated. Hopefully clear tomorrow night so will report how I got on

I have the WiFi module connected and have also tried scope with skyportal and that controls scope but same outcome. Waiting for clear night to try again.

Hopefully someone can help as I'm pulling my hair out. Other half isn't too impressed as I spent money on scope instead of new carpets lol