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Showing results for tags 'advice'.
Found 27 results
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Managed to get this Telescope as my first (second-hand for £40, hardly used). Just wondering best objects to aim to see (I got a cheap moon filter which is all I have really had a chance to spot in the night sky so far). Hoping as the hobby goes to invest in a more expensive one (any thoughts on next step up also welcome). I have only had a few goes with it so far and found the Azimuth mount to be easy to use, but there is a metal rod which you can turn to slightly alter (don't think this is moving across the equatorial) however you can only turn it so far before the thread at the top falls out (is that normal?). Any other random tips also welcome! https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/skywatcher-telescope-n-76-700-astrolux-az-1/p,5010#tab_bar_1_select -
help First telescope. Meade LX90
Jimmystargazer posted a topic in Getting Started General Help and Advice
Hi all. Joined the formum last night after my first use of the Meade LX90 telescope. It was a decently clear night and managed to take a look at the moon but very little else.. Maybe I had massively high hopes of the performance of the telescope but I was very much under awed by the occasion. I couldn't afford a new scope so this was delivered used with a single 26mm eyepiece, no erecting prism. Also paid extra for a variable polarising moon filter. I tried my hardest to align the telescope but failed time and time again due to the fact that the stars selected by the telescope I couldn't really see.. I did a decent amount of research before selecting this telescope and have seen what it can do.. just isn't doing for me at the moment. So I would love anyone's input as to what I should do next. I assume I need more eyepieces. I get that from reading other threads on this forum. By the way.. reading the forum really encouraged me to join as you all seem amazingly helpful and so enthusiastic. I remember having a scope as a kid and it just made stars look a little bigger.. Hence I really hoped that this purchase would blow that experience out of the water.. Not yet.. but with your help and input I'm hoping I've made a good scope choice that will give amazing results in the very near future. I have three young kids and yes I bought the scope for me, but also for them too. I want to be able to point at the nights sky and say.. that star up there is actually Saturn... wanna see it's rings? Then show them using the telescope.. I will stop there.. thanks in advance for any help and advice you may give. Currently jimmystarblurredgazing.... Hipefully with your help and input to become... jimmystargazer.. -
Hello you wonderful people,sorry i have not been on here much lately,busy life and terrible cold/flu, i am considering purchasing a Barlow lense, and i would very much appreciate your thoughts and input, as a total newbie, i dont know very much, i know i want to get a 1,25 x2 barlow, but is it ok to buy a generic or should i buy a brand name and spend a little more, does it matter what i buy. I have seen them ranging from £6.00 upwards i was thinking of getting the celestron for about £25. Anyway thank you very much for taking the time to read and comment, best regards Dave.
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Hi, I am completely new to this but am wanting to do some stargazing and astrophotography. i have a great interest particularly in the deep sky and am wondering what kind of telescope i should get in order to mainly view the deep sky but also one that if i wanted to i could view planets etc. there are low levels of light pollution in my area and i have a pretty good budget (around 1k) wanting a quality telescope that i will still own in years to come as i am wanting to go on to study this. i am currently looking at reflectors but was wondering if anyone thought that i was looking at the wrong type of telescope based on my preferences. if anyone has any recommendations i would love to hear them as i am not yet sure about well trusted brands etc. also for the astrophotographers out there what do you believe is an essentials kit for a beginner. Thanks -
Hi, Bought celestron astromaster 13eq b4 2 days this is my first ever telescope..today for nearly 2 hrs i tried to point to the mars..but i couldn't point..i can see with naked eyes but could not find in telescope..it was very frustrating with eye pain,head pain...can u tell how to locate a star or anything with the s/w..what the numbers are in the eq mount??how to use the s/w and point to that particular object with those numbers??? please help..i saw only moon clearly... Thanks...
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I've had my telescope (the Galileo G-872 refractor) for several years now and have been able to view planets in quite a bit of detail such as the rings on Saturn and the red spot on Jupiter. But recently every time I have tried to focus in on any planets (I've tried Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) all I get are big grey dots. I am still able to focus on the moon with great detail but the planets still remain to be big grey dots. I have tried several times over the past few weeks in all different conditions and locations, I've cleaned the lenses, I've tried all of my different lenses and attachments and nothing works! I would really appreciate some help from someone who is maybe a bit more experienced in these matters than I. -
Okay, this is yet to happen, but in one year or so, I'll be fortunate enough to be in the position of being able to spend a whopping 1200$ on one telescope/mount and all that [removed word]. Like a narrowband filter narrows the light going through the eyepiece, I've narrowed it down to either getting something of your recommendations OR a Sky Watcher 10" Flextube Dobsonian. Since, by that time, I'll already have a HEQ5 and a 150 PDS that'll be used for taking Astrophotos, I thought I might as well get something for visual observations of mostly galaxies (and sometimes nebulae), too. Dobsonians are the best as they offer the most aperture, which is what I've heard from at least 1000 beginner-aimed websites like "What telescope should you choose?" In the end, it all boils down to aperture for DSO visual astronomy, and so my heart is set upon a good Dob under 1200$– a Sky Watcher 10" Flextube. What do you think of this? A 10" flextube Dob by SW, a company known for making quality products (and some rubbish ones somtimes, too)? Clear skies, Leon -
Hello all, I have just joined and have been looking around, and putting in various searches to find the answer to my question(s). I have already found some valuable information, but i can't find a specific answer to a question i have relating to exposure times. I have shot the milky way several times before, from a tripod and a wide angle lens. I am aware of and understand the "500 rule" and that worked fine for me at first when i was shooting with my Canon 6D Mark II. When i moved over to the Sony A7III i noticed significant trailing using the same rule and that led me to the NPF rule (Via the photopills app incase people dot know). I am heading back to Tenerife once again in about 6 weeks time and want to buy a star tracker so i can get some really detailed images. I have done a fair bit of research and in principle, the whole thing doesn't seem to be too daunting or difficult. I have purchased the Polar Scope Align Pro app so i can align Polaris as accurately as possible, i will practise putting the unit together and familiarising myself with the different parts etc, but it is the exposure times that i do not understand. My best glass is the Carl Ziess 50mm F/1.4 Planar, the 18mm F/2.8 Batis, the Sigma 35mm F/1.4 Art & the IRIX 15mm F/2.4 Blackstone. I currently do not own, nor have i ever used a tracker, and I cannot find any information relating to which aperture, ISO and Shutter length any of these focal lengths should or could be shot at. Is there anything similar to the 500 rule or NPF rule that relates to using a tracker with varied focal lengths? or is it just a case of stepping the lens down for sharpness and then trial and error? Thanks in advance, Matt.
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Hello there! I'd like to start off by saying that I'm completely new at this so please don't get mad if I seem ignorant or don't know things. I recently came across a recommendation to go stargazing with night vision and that seemed like a really cool experience so that's why I'm here now. I wanted to ask whether it's possible to do that while spending less than $100? Obviously since I'm only getting into stargazing I wouldn't need anything too amazing, but I'm wondering whether it'd be very bad with equipment for under $100 and would it instead be better to find someone to lend from. If it is indeed possible to achieve something fairly decent for a beginner for under $100, what would be your recommendations? Thank you!
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zoom eyepiece Some advice on Zoom Eyepiece
ukuleledaveey posted a topic in Getting Started With Observing
Hello All, as you are aware i am new here and also new to this wonderful hobby, as you may be aware i am a total newbie,no experience or knowledge, so i am at your mercy ?. Last weekend i was lucky enough to purchase a second hand Skyliner 200p, which came with a 10mm & 25mm eyepieces, i know i shouldn't rush in as i need to get collimating tool, but i really fancy getting a zoom eye piece, i wondered if you guys n gals had any thoughts or recommendations on such, if possible i wouldn't mind getting a second hand one, i have seen one at Harrisons that i quite like skywatcher-8-24mm-zoom-eyepiece-1.25 Anyway thanks for reading and i will probably be asking tons and tons of questions, sorry about that, but you area wonderful friendly and knowledgeable lot,many thanks and best regards Dave -
Hi, Not a particularly serious thread, but I sort of need a bit of advice/suggestions. I was recently given £40 by a very generous person, I am thinking about spending it for astronomy. However, I'm not quite sure what exactly I would be best getting with it. I could get: A Baader Contrast Booster Filter, I can get it in time for the Mars Opposition, to use with my OpticStar 90 frac. A replacement focuser and secondary assembly for my broke 130/900 newt. I'm not sure if I even need to restore this, as I have a 130PDS anyway. ? Something else. Thanks for looking, John
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Hi There, I hope I have found the right place to post but I am 23 years old (living in Manchester, UK) and have a mission to try and get more of my generation to take the time to look up. I want more people to share my passion and get as excited about the universe as I do. For the last 2 years, I have been working to create a watch which is made with meteoite, to serve as a daily reminder, so people take the time to look up and put all their worries and concerns into perspective. I am reaching out to this staregazing community for help and advice, how I might do this better, also I am hoping to learn and get some feedback - I would love hear what you think of it. In other news I am looking to buy my first telescope and I would be open to as much help on that too! Either way thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope to hear from some of you soon James -
Hi everyone, I’m putting a shopping list together for an astrophotography setup and I could really do with a bit of advice on my options thus far. My aim is to photograph DSO’s (I’m really keen on imaging galaxies) I need a rig that is easy to set up and also portable as I plan to transport it to the darkest skies I have available to me. I’ve been shooting wide field astrophotography with a DSLR and a tripod for about 5 years now so I already own a modified Sony A7S and an unmodified Canon 5D Mk3, so I will start by shooting with these bodies. I'm still undecided on scope and mount, hence the list has options. My list so far: Telescope: Orion ED80 WIlliam Optics GT81 Explore Scientific 80 Essentials Mount: EQ6 HEQ5 Finder Scope and CCD for Guiding: Orion Mini 50mm Guidescope Meade DSI Colour I intend on using PHD for guiding. I also need other accessories such as field flatteners etc, so any advice on 'the extras' would also be greatly appreciated. I don't expect to get hubble-esque images from this rig! I would like to go down the refractor route, but other than M31 which is, of course, rather large, are these telescopes going to be any good for galaxies? It is one of the reasons I am leaning towards the Orion ED80 as the scope for that extra 120mm of focal length as all the scopes listed are f/6. I'm also leaning towards the EQ6 for the mount but any other suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks is advance!
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Hello Everyone, I am nearing the time when I would be getting my first ever telescope through a friend from UK who'd be visiting Pakistan in a few weeks time. So I have to finalise my decision as to what am I getting during these days. I have been stargazing for some time now. I have done it through my own eyes for a start so far and I must say that it has captivated me already. I was thinking about getting a good binoculars for the sheer excitement of it but then I cannot wait to use a telescope so I have decided to bypass the binoculars and get myself a telescope. I have done my bit of research so far and I kind of know what I want yet I just want to be sure that what I am getting will not disappoint me and therefore need your kind advice in letting my know if what I am about to get for my stargazing would actually fulfil my gtarzagin 'needs' and I call them needs because I do not want to compromise too much on these. So my needs or shall we say requirements are as under: 1. DEEP SKY: I am deeply interested in the deep sky. So you can call me a DSO person. I do not want sharpness of the view for the moon or planets I can compromise on that for as long as I can dive deeply Therefore refractors are out of question for me. 2. TRAVEL: While I would use the telescope mostly on my roof top however which is in the city and so I plan to visit two other locations where I would be taking the telescope along. (a). I plan to go to my father-in-law's apartment at a hill station located at the foothills of the Himalayas called Margalla hills (6000 ft high) twice a year maybe once and (b). to the village of a friend that lies at the base of the Malakand hills which are the foothills of the Hindukush range. One location is just a 40 minutes drive whereas the other is 4 hours away. So portability is there and also durability. These are the two 'needs' I cannot compromise on or would not want to compromise upon. Therefore, what I have in mind is as under: (BUDGET: I cant go beyond 100-120 Pounds maybe 140 Pounds max.) - A Newtonian Reflector within the 114-127 mm aperture range. - I do not have a clear idea of the focal ratio but my research tells me something under 10 is good perhaps near to 5 being great. Is that correct? - I think the telescope should have a parabolic lens ? plus the lenses need to have a coating of some kind for durability ? - An Equitorial mount is best ? if yes, I shall be getting that (I have no interest or budget to go far the motorised ones. The go-to ones. Kills the fun and excitement of locating something yourself through star charts etc. By the way I have downloaded Stellarium on my computer and am getting familiarised with what I behold when I look upwards I saw the Celestron Powerseeker 114 but it had real bad reviews. There is one made by MEADE which is a short tube 127mm and the short tube is good with portability. Similarly there are other options available. Anyway guys, based on the above, what do you recommend? And please no refractor related advice I will be getting a reflector and that is for sure. But which one would suit my needs best is what I am confused about. Kindly enlighten me... Regards, Sidd. -
Hello, I'm very new to the practice of astronomy and my interest is with deep sky objects, I very much prefer "goto" type telescopes. Im just looking for a decent set up for visual observations of dso's and I have no idea where to start to look, please help! ( 500$ budget ) -
Greetings stargazers, I'm considering buying a new telescope (my first telescope) for astrophotography, and some visual astronomy. But I can't decide which type should I get. I mainly want to photograph deep sky objects. After testing some variations in Stellarium I am worried that some deep sky objects won't fit into the aperture of an 8" reflector. I'm wondering which type should I get. And also I'm worried that I won't be able to photograph anything with a small refractor because I live near a city. I am also open to any suggestions for a beginner astrophotography telescope. (around 800$ would be perfect) Thank you:) I apologise if I made any writing mistakes. Edit: I'm considering buying a Bresser Messier 203/800 or a William Optics Zenithstar 61 but I'm still open to any suggestions. -
Hello, ive still haven’t made a decision on what telescope to buy yet ( been very hard to decide what to get ) My Max budget is £400 if I know it’s worth the price.I’m looking for something that’s relatively simple and easy to set up. I was thinking about the 200p but I think that maybe a bit awkward for me and was looking to do some sketching so a goto Mount or something similar would help. I’ve found this scope https://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto/skywatcher-startravel-102-synscan-az-goto.html I was wondering if anyone has used this scope or knows more information about it than I do. Was wondering how “portable” it is and what the weight is for it. I’m looking to look at most things through the telescope but not setting my expectations too high. My skies are quite good 4/3 bortle scale. And will be storing it in a garage also will be stairs so need something easy for me to carry. And I’ll be going to a field opposite my house for better viewing. Sorry for keep asking what scope to get as you can see I’m not very good at sticking to a scope . Cheers Olly -
Hi all, so I went with buying a Skywatcher Skyliner 150p after reading lots of opinions on beginners telescope choices for my budget in a previous post (thank you all by the way!), and it’s arrived and wow it’s exciting to see even in the boxes!! (Also slightly bigger then I expected so wrapping it up and hiding it from my boyfriend ready for Xmas has been a tad tricky haha!). so I’m now here again asking for some advice on getting him (& me) started with using the telescope, just wondering if there is any good starting points to read up on or tips on what to be looking at first! Any more thorough guides to this Skywatcher Skyliner etc too so setting up goes smoothly? just thought to ask in advance as it will be nice to point him in the right direction as soon as poss! thanks Tara ?- 21 replies
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Hello Everyone, My name is Forest Fernandez. I am a hobbyist Photographer that just started getting interested in Astrophotography. I started last year in 2016 with my current set up, a Canon 5D Mk3 w/ a Rokinon 24mm on Tripod with a shutter release. In my about me section you can go to my facebook where i have some of my photographs that i've taken. I will try to include some of them in this post as well. I went out every night last summer to take photos, really diving in to try to learn as much as i could. I fell in love! I am now interested in buying a Telescope that i can adapt my Canon 5D Mk3 to. Ideally: I'm looking for a telescope that will allow me to photograph Nebulae specifically. Galaxies would be great, but i know that only one or two are visible to beginner to intermediate telescopes. So far this is what i've learned that i need from researching telescopes: LARGE Aperture, more light i can pick up the better. Telescope that can pick up low light objects in the sky, i.e. Nebulae. Equatorial Mount, for the Photography element. Dobsinian i've been told is the way to go for low light Nebulae's and such. ADVICE: I am looking for advice from experienced astrophotographers here on the following things: - Any other factors i need to take into consideration to get what i'm looking for. That would be great. - I'd like to be able to make decently sized prints of these photographs, but i know that often times lower budget telescopes don't have great print quality. Any advice? - Telescope suggestions to pair with my Canon 5d Mk3. I have roughly a budget of 3,000$. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's input. Thanks!
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Hi, As there are many talented imagers here, and i'm struggling with the unfamiliar techniques involved It was suggested I post a thread and hope that anyone can help with the issues I seem to be at a loss on. Apart from inexpensive lenses, the coma and CA I seem to be getting not only vignetting in the corners but a kind of almost 'dirty' area in the middle like vignetting but with a strange colour to it like the whole middle area is not quite stacking right, or its during capture that the problem starts. Also, processing so many stars is overwhelming either the software or me or both, although i'm sort of sure the data is saveable but the processing ive tried so far just seems to make it more messy. Apologies in advance for the bad explanations and babbling, pls be patient with the text in this post. this is double cluster area, the big reddish blotch like a severe vignette - it looks to me like it stacked badly and the centre looks thin and flattened. this looks like gravely snow which got trampled by muddy footprints with ill-defined dark lanes or something. again with the reddish murky look where the 'tracks' are. Sorry for weird analogies but the technical terms escape me. some more vignette type issue. reddish muddy look and the appearance of uneven stacking also in the middle bit. I tried flats but not sure they were done right and the images with flats dont seem any better. These aren't the only problems but i'm not really certain what i'm doing right or wrong to be honest, i'm hoping you folks can shed some light on it. Any help appreciated, and many thanks for looking. Regards Aenima -
Hi, I am at the moment trying to set up "Dithering" on my APT. I am presently using a Canon 600D, with Orion ED80 Refractor, mounted on my NEQ6PRO. Please note, I have not yet progressed to Guiding - NO GUIDING Do I basically select "APT Dithering" and maybe leave all the other settings at Default? Most grateful if anyone can let be know which settings I might need to adjust, and to what values. Finding it all a little bit confusing ! Many Thanks Steve
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Hey guys! It's me ,kronos Yesterday my 8" dob arrived and i had some lovely views with it! I also bought an astroessential t ring for my nikon Dslr. Im looking towards planetary imaging (not serious, just for the fun) what else do i need?(btw my cam is a nikon D7100)
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The motors are not working and I don't know why. I have replaced the batteries and when turn on light is green but then turns red immediately. There is a constant bleeping sound. The cogs seem blocked... I am new to this so am hoping it is something easily fixed. Anyone know how? Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Hi everyone. sorry I know this has been asked and I've tried getting ideas from other posts but any advice would be greatly received. My husband has always had an interest in the skies and I would love to get him a telescope for Christmas. I really had no idea how confusing it would be! I'm hugely struggling with all the types of telescopes and different peoples views. From searching through lots of sites and reviews the skywatcher explorer and skywatcher star travel seem to be good beginner scopes. Can any advise on these or other suggestions? I don't want to spend too much more than £100 (appreciate these are both more) and I was hoping for something he can add to over time if he wishes (other lenses, phone connector etc). I would prefer it to have its own tripod though read that many of these are flimsy. We live outside of London so sky's not always great but my parents are in cornwall so hoping to view there too. Thank you for any help
