Probably going to buy Celestron 127 SLT - Imaging Questions - Noob Alert!

[dazzst]

Hi all,

Most likely we are going to buy a Celestron 127 SLT. I have a couple of quick imaging type questions:

1. I have an iPhone 4S. Can this be linked to it to provide GPS / alternative control to the supplied controller?

2. Can I attach the iPhone and use it to image or am I better using a webcam.

thanks

Daz

[Ags]

Gosh you love your iPhone! The control the scope comes with is quite nice as it is, why replace it? Having said that I recall there is a scope control app you can buy.

For imaging planets, a webcam is probably far far better that the iPhone. You can hold the phone to the eyepiece and snap some pics of the moon but that is about all it can do.

[Capricorn]

CAnnot see how you could connect an iPhone to the scope to supply GPS infromation, don't think Apple ever intended to interface to a Celestron scope. Other then read the co-ordinates off of the iPhone and enter them into the scope.

Use a webcam.

What imaging are you intending?

The mount is Alt/Az so OK for short exposures (= planets), not for long exposures (= DSO's).

The focal length is long which again means long exposures are not feasible as tracking errors will be amplified.

[rowan46]

I remember reading about a gadget that interfaced an i-phone to a scope using ascom drivers. Found it SkyWire Telescope Control Cable for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch - Telescopes UK: Telescopes & Telescope Accessories in your only London shop

I don't know if the 127 slt has rs-232

[dazzst]

This is where my lack of knowledge comes in (did say we were noobs!). I don't know why the type of mount affects the imaging capability so perhaps you could instruct me or point us in the direction of some simple to understand info.

[Ags]

An equatorial mount is good for imaging deep space objects because it turns in the same axis as the Earth. An alt-az mount is not oriented with the Earth's rotation so it cannot be used for long exposures - the object will stay in the field of view, but the view rotates around it! You scope has a focal length of 1500mm - even on specialist imaging mounts, a focal length of 1000mm is regarded as challenging. Finally you scope has a focal speed of F12, meaning it exposes images 4 times as slowly as an imaging scope which would be around F6 or faster.

[rowan46]

essentially it boils down to if you want to image planets and the moon a webcam and alt az mount is ok anything else needs an eq mount, long exposures and a fast scope f6+

[tharil]

Hi All,

Not posted here before but have been lurking and taking notes of lots of stuff.

I have a celestron 130slt scope and would like to get into some basic astrophotography of the moon etc. Ive heard people mention using webcams but I have no idea what sort of cam or if any adaptors etc are required. Could anyone point me in the right direction please.

Thanks