_leo_

I tried the method that @Stu linked to. The only problem is being so close to the scope the compass wasn't very accurate. It must have been to do with the magnetic interference.

Better results came from this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SEEKONE-Universal-Smartphone-Binoculars-Microscope/dp/B07MW4RG1Y/ref=asc_df_B07MW4RG1Y/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=294684076205&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3464577113046166104&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006586&hvtargid=pla-716508988486&psc=1

Instead of clamping around an eyepiece, I clamped around the finderscope (6x30). This helped to keep the phone away from the scope and improve the accuracy.

I'm looking at buying this telescope as an upgrade to the heritage 130p, more so for the goto and tracking features.

I use stellarium as my digital planesphere and was wondering whether or not I can link up the scope to stellarium and then control the scope via stellarium?

I have seen this on other telescopes and would like to do it with this.

Thanks.

1 hour ago, Mike JW said:

Jupiter/Albireo - OK you were trying things out but you get better views visually with your scope then messing about with a camera on those objects.

Mike

Yeah I found that out. They were the only objects I could see with all this cloud we are having!

I'm interested in this part of astronomy as when I'm looking through an eyepiece for a long period of time I tend to strain my eyes and get a headache afterwards.

I've read and watched videos but I'm still a little unsure.

I have a SW heritage 130p. I know I will need a goto mount but will a camera fit onto the telescope and focus or do I need a focal reducer? What camera would be suitable for a beginner? The cheaper the better as I have to upgrade my mount too. I borrowed an svbony 105 camera to play with from a friend and I downloaded sharpcap. I managed to video Jupiter and albireo but it wouldn't livestack the targets. It was saying something couldn't align? Is this because it ain't the best camera? 

I really want to get into this and really need some dummy guide or a nudge in the right direction.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

On 24/10/2021 at 22:26, Merlin said:

The Coathanger’s been mentioned as an open cluster, but isn’t it classified as an asterism?  There is an ancient and, apparently, understudied open cluster at one end of the Coathanger.

Do you know the name of this understudied open cluster? 

31 minutes ago, badhex said:

I would agree with this - first saw Caroline's Rose about a month ago under Bortle 3/2 skies with a 73mm APO (ZS73) and it was really beautiful. Tried again under my Bortle 8/7 skies... pretty unimpressive  

The extra aperture of the 130 will certainly help though! Fingers crossed.

If I can learn where certain objects are and can go straight to them by practicing in my garden, hopefully I can then get to a dark site and see them again but looking even better!

Thats the plan anyway.

Thanks for all these new clusters to find, it should keep me busy for a while!

@Stucoathanger is nice, but my favourite so far is also ngc 457.

I would say my sky is bortle 7/8

My current telescope is a SW Heritage 130p 

3 hours ago, Stu said:

There are plenty more in Cassiopeia to try for eg M103, NGC659 and 663. When Auriga and Gemini are better placed you have M35,36,37 and 38 to go for. M11 in Scutum is very nice, plus the Coathanger in Vulpecula. Loads to go after.

Thanks for these Stu. I forgot to mention the coathanger, this is the one that got me interested in the clusters.

Thanks for the welcome.

Hi,

This season I want to explore more open clusters.

I have seen the E.T cluster and the muscleman cluster, as well as the pleiades, hydra cluster,the moving cluster and the double cluster.

What other clusters are there to view that would be ideal for beginners?

Thanks.

Hi,

I'm relatively new to astronomy. Although I've been doing it a couple years  the interest seems to come and go. 

I've found the most basic objects and don't seem to progress any further, I just keep looking back at what I've already seen.

As the nights are starting to get darker and hopefully clearer, I want to make a new start and find some new objects and of course look at some of the old ones too.