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I recently found this: https://tejraj.com/multi-coated-zoom-eyepiece.html So, is this worth it? I am used to 25mm kellner (and its fov), but the 10mm is way too small, and the idea that I might do planetary, doubles and globular clusters in a single eyepiece is pretty exciting, and I can only get two plossl with that money so is this a good zoom ep?

Hi everyone, I would like to ask an advice as a beginner in astrophotography. I will try to be as clear as possible. I managed to connect my Canon 6D Mark II through NINA to my laptop. No matter how hard I tried so far, I couldn't manage to get a nice relatively shapr image of moon. On the other hand, with same telescope (Skywatcher MIRA 200p), same DSLR, when I unplug the camera from USB and just press the shutter button manually, I get much sharper image. Could there be any difference in your opinion? Or I am just clumsy with computers?

Hi there, I am new to astronomy and looking for a beginners telescope for under £200. From browsing around I am slightly overwhelmed by the amount of options and would please like some suggestions. I would mainly be viewing from my garden or driving somewhere for viewing, so portability isn't a huge issue for me. I'd say I'm more interested in deeper space stuff but additionally would like to be able to view the moon/planets (if that's possible to do both?). From this, it feels an "all round" telescope may be a good starting point for me but these seem to be difficult to pick out. I've read that a Dobsonian is potentially better but I don't really want the faff of using a table, so feel a tripod set up may better suit my needs. Any help would be deeply appreciated. Cheers, Sam

Hello everyone! These are my first DSO photos. Also, this is the second time I've used Adobe Photoshop. My purpose for this thread is to share with you my first try and to gather constructive feedback, to help me improve my skills (use of equipment, stacking, image processing, etc.) M31 - Andromeda Galaxy Imaging telescope: William Optics Zenithstar 61 Imaging camera: Canon 450D Mount: ES EXOS-2 PMC8 (unguided) Field Flattener: William Optics ZS61 A Software: DSS, Siril and Adobe Photoshop Lights: 75 x 60s ISO 800 Darks: 15 Flats: 20 Bias: 20 Andromeda 07.11.20.tif M45 - Pleiades Imaging telescope: William Optics Zenithstar 61 Imaging camera: Canon 450D Mount: ES EXOS-2 PMC8 (unguided) Field Flattener: William Optics ZS61 A Software: DSS, Siril and Adobe Photoshop Lights: 60 x 60s ISO 800 Darks: 15 Flats: 20 Bias: 20 Pleiades 07.11.20.tif I appreciate any kind of feedback! Thank you, Vlad

Hi everyone, I am thinking about buying a Celestron Nexstar 6se to use for astrophotography at a very beginner level. I am thinking about using a ZWO ASI224MC as it seems a good option. I have a few questions about how to setup/use it - here they are: 1.) Do you just screw it on where the eyepiece is usually at? 2.) Do you just have the cable going to a computer where you have stacking spect where that stacks the photos it takes? 3.) Does it automatically take photos of planets and DSO’s? 4.) Does it need any filters to get color on nebulae as those are they primary things I want to photograph Thats all, as you can see I am a beginner to astrophotography and just want to know how to use the camera to take decent pictures. Thanks all

Hi everyone, This is my first post in SGL and I must say I'm really excited about joining this wonderful community and I must thank you all for all the help and advice provided here. I recently bought a Skywatcher Heritage 130 as my first scope. I have a couple of (weird) questions and I would really appreciate if you could answer them: First of all, is there a correct way of handling this telescope (rotating and tilting) while looking at the sky? I'm asking this because sometimes I find myself grabbing it from the back of the tube where the screws are to tilt it, and I'm afraid this can move the adjusting screws and make me collimate the mirrors more frequently. Also is it OK to rotate it by grabbing the extension frame or can this also misalign the secondary mirror? Sorry for this questions but since the design of this scope is so "open" it got me thinking; The scope came with the locking screws really loose. When I say loose I mean that whenever I touch them accidentally they move a lot and when I move the scope from one place to another I can feel them shaking. Is this OK? I've been observing Venus quite a lot, but I find it really difficult to clearly see it's phases and disc without fuzziness. I'm observing from my balcony with clear skies but I live in a very light polluted area. Also I've been mainly observing it between 28º and 20º altitude (used Stellarium to get these values), except for one time when I tried to observe it before being completely dark and I was able to see it at ~38º altitude. This was actually the time where I could see the disc with more detail and very little fuzziness. Under these conditions is this normal or am I doing something wrong? During my observation sessions, I can occasionally see some objects moving fast on my field of view but I can follow them when using my 25mm eyepiece. They are like faint stars (some brighter than others) moving in a straight line trajectory. What could they be? Satellites? Is there any good source of satellite information so I can confirm these sightings when I have them? I will leave here my first photos of the moon taken a couple of weeks ago with the telescope using the 25mm and 10mm pieces that came with it, a lunar filter and my Nokia 7 plus (handheld). I know they suck but it was an achievement for me that made me really happy Sorry for the long boring questions. Thanks!

Hi everyone - juts purchased my first telescope and am asking for advice on what is best to be seen through this telescope as a starter - have already seen the moon and some distant stars and am comfortable with using all of the eye pieces included. What would anyone recommend?

150mm F/5 Newt, as received new, view down eyecap collimator (no adjustments attempted by me): I've read a couple of intro guides, so I'm led to believe that the off centre image of the secondary in the primary is normal for a fast reflector. The whole image of the primary in the secondary seems to be reasonably central too. My concern is obviously that the black dot from the collimation cap is not within the "doughnut" centre marking from the primary. I've tried here to superimpose a circle with centre lines, but I'm not sure if I've got the circle itself correctly positioned (I'm not sure what I should be lining it up against): Now, the interesting thing is that it's one of those jobbies with a sealed, non-collimatable primary. But I believe the secondary has all the usual degrees of movement. Does it look likely to be far out? I can try a star test tonight (first time for that too).

Also, are there any other accessories that would be a good idea to get? I already have a few astronomy books. Thanks, Owen

hello! yesterday i got my telescope, BRESSER solarix 76/350! so yesterday i went outside around 9pm, I spotted Mars in the night sky very easily, I tried to aim my telescope towards it but... after like 10minutes, I still couldn't aim it ( I did choosed the ocular that had 40mm, biggest one I have ), then I gave up and decided to observe the core of the Andromeda Galaxy because it's way easier to aim at because of it's huge size.. Then huge clouds were coming and I decided to go back home with my telescope.. I did some research and there is a tool named "finderscope", but the problem is that my telescope doesnt have a rail or something that I can put a finderscope to, and im just asking if there is like a univseral finderscope or a finderscope that doesnt require to drill holes for screws, the only thing I observed yesterday was the sun( with my sun filter, I was pretty satisfied for a first time ) and the faint core of the Andromeda Galaxy/m31.. thanks for helping me!

Probably a stupid question... Heyyy soo i am a begginer and about to buy my first telescope.A Skywatcher 200 p. I ve just though of something , Since i know filters can be stacked i ve been wondering if i could take visual RGB filters and stack them.Specifically blue green and red in order to create a visual full colour image ,like photography. I know its probably a stupid question because people all over the world would have done this by now .But i m just curious. -Kronos

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

Hello, Recently, one of my friends has moved out of the country and he has handed me (and other friends) certain items he couldn't take with him or didn't want to sell. Considering that I was the biggest star lover of the bunch , having learnt a few constellations -mostly to figure out where north is while hiking, I've been handed down his old telescope. I have researched a bit about it these past 3 days I've had it, and I would like to ask a few questions if you would be so kind to answer. So, first things first, what I've figured out (or have been told) so far: 1) It is on an equatorial mount (I'm 90% sure). 2) It is QUITE old (more than 15 years old). 3) I have 2 Barlow lenses (or mounts?): one 1.5X and one 3X, and 2 eyepieces: one 25mm and one 4mm, the latter I believe to be a Huygenian (Huygensian? Huyngensoid?) type since it has a very tiny top lens. 4) Any packaging and/or documentation is long fossilized in an unknown attic somewhere in south-eastern Europe. Rather than waste your time with other suppositions I've made that may or may not be true, I will tell you what it says on the actual telescope: 1) The mark is BSA Optics. 2) It's made in China. 3) On a label on the side, it says "AT375X112", and beneath "375X112mm". The questions I have are as follows: 1) What could I expect to see with the current equipment? Planets? Comets? Nebulae? Is it possible to see Andromeda? I tried using it for yesterday's peak of the Perseids, but it wasn't of much use (or I didn't know how to use it); 2) What documentation would you suggest? I don't have a lot of expandable income, but if there's two things I never scrimp on, it's books and drinks with friends. Also, as far as star charts/maps go, what should I get? I would like, if possible, something that can be used at different latitudes. 3) Are there any pieces of equipment that wouldn't set me back too far, something that would be worth it for improving my experience? Thank you for your help. P.S. Sorry for any English errors, it's not my first language.

New to this just bough my first scope the orion funscope,while i have always bin into space and alien conspiracys etc but thats another post anyway im new to star gazing with a scope and hope to be a active member on this site and looking forward to picking peoples brains especially when it comes to branching out on a more expensive scope so guys hope to talk to you all soon by the way i will only be doing planetry observations for the start

Hello, This is my first ever attempt at cosmic sketching, any tips or tricks would be much appreciated. I have no scanner, so had to photograph and then invert as a result my skies are grey