Star tracking

[Adamchiv]

As a total novice, was wondering if I had a telescope on an eq2 mount, bought a motor, what else do I do to have it automatically find and track objects for me? Thanks

[bomberbaz]

This may help you although its for an EQ3-2, I don't think you will get a conversoin for an EQ2 mount.

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/SkyWatcher_SynScan_PRO_GOTO_Upgrade_Kit_For_EQ3-2_Mount.html

There is also this but again not for your mount.

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p415_Skywatcher-SynScan-GoTo-upgrade-kit-for-GP---EQ-mounts.html

You might find it almost as cheap and much easier just getting a goto mount

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq3-pro-synscan-goto.html

Although it would help if you said what scope you have or are looking at and what do you want to achieve. Just goto visual or photography?

Steve

[BeanerSA]

It will automatically track objects with just the motor.

[Cornelius Varley]

As a total novice, was wondering if I had a telescope on an eq2 mount, bought a motor, what else do I do to have it automatically find and track objects for me? Thanks

To automatically find and track you will need to purchase a new mount (Synscan goto or similar). The simple RA tracking motor for the smaller equatorial mounts (EQ1 and EQ2)  doesn't have this facility and the mount cannot be upgraded to a full goto.

[Adamchiv]

Hi steve thanks for the informative response, the telescope I will likely be getting for now is the skysearcher explorer 130eq2, only going to be for visual enjoyment for now. Wondered how I can set it up to autofind stars etc....as I said im a total novice

[Adamchiv]

How do I go about finding objects easily with an eq2? I remember reading that its easier than a dobsonion to find things but I dont know how, still a little confused on a lot of it. Thanks

[bomberbaz]

Adam, how much is your budget for the new scope please, maybe there is something more appropriate. I mean do you really want a goto scope that takes you to a given object or are you prepared to learn your way around the night sky and find your own ?

This thread here may help you decide as it has a useful object finding guide submitted by our member, moonshane that tells you about manually finding stars, galaxies etc  http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/197640-collimation-and-star-hopping/

And this one here is a very good bit of reading to match your viewing expectations.  http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/196278-what-can-i-expect-to-see/

Its only the first post really in the 2 above, not the full thread of several 1000's

Have a mooch through those, especially the first for now and get back to us. last thing you want to be doing is spending a small fortune only to find its not what you wanted.

Oh and FYI, the vast majority of people find the dobsonian scopes far easier to use for visual.

Steve

[BeanerSA]

How do I go about finding objects easily with an eq2? I remember reading that its easier than a dobsonion to find things but I dont know how, still a little confused on a lot of it. Thanks

Where did you read that? That is not even close to true. After the slightly easier setup for a dob, both require the same amount of effort to locate objects.

[Adamchiv]

Apologies, I must have misunderstood a post, I was under the impression that an eq2 had a goto facility, hopefully I will brush up soon ☺

[Adamchiv]

Thanks steve I'll have a good read of those later, my budget is either 140 this month or next month 280 for a skyliner 200p, (the preffered one) was just concerned about the size and how functional it is for a beginner.

[Tinker1947]

Adam, it should be pointed out that the GoTo Mount doesn't have to use the GoTo it can be manually moved so finding DSO with the help of a Star Chart can still be done and learning the night sky is a joy to do, if you don't Stellarium its a free download and very good a little further down the road it will connect to a syscan mount and you can use a laptop to guide the mount to objects, another sweet bit of kit is a Telrad couple of hours practice you can place the telescope on Objects your eye's can't see but the Telescope can...

Stellearium

http://www.stellarium.org/

Star maps used with or with out a Telrad.

http://www.atmob.org/library/member/skymaps_jsmall.html

Telrad

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/telrad-finder-astronomy.html

[bomberbaz]

Hi again Adam. I don't think many would disagree that the Skyliner 200p is a superb idea and perfect for a begginer. Wait until next month and get the extra needed and you will have many years of fun and enjoyment with that particular setup.

The favorite saying for that scope is it gives you by far the best "bang for your bucks".

As tinker above has pointed out the stellarium program is a free and invaluable programme to use and help you learn about the night sky and what is available to view. if you have a tablet you can DL to that and use it whilst you are out viewing to help you find things. (in night mode)

Finally the telrad, which can be bought later is also a great object finder which is much loved by many on here and can be used in conjunction with the finder supplied by skywatcher.

Hope this helps.

Incidentally, where about are you?

Steve

[Adamchiv]

That does help thanks, I live in Manchester and the light pollution especially in my area is ridiculous. Last night I didnt even see a star, on a clear night its so so, I saw betelgeuse with the naked eye. I was worried the 200p might be wasted in these conditions as I cant see deep space (nebulas etc) being do-able. I have a works van which I could use to get to a darker sky but transporting the telescope would be hard, Id have to make some sort of support for it, then storing that in my smallish apartment would be tricky.

[Peter Drew]

Hello Adam. Jump into your van and come up to see us on a Saturday evening, we can show you a 8" Dobsonian and if clear you could have a play with it. They are easy enough to transport safely and have a very small footprint when stored vertically. The only thing "big" about it is the performance. 

[Adamchiv]

Hi peter thats a very kind offer, are you reffering to a club? Where abouts are you based? Thanks, Adam

[bomberbaz]

Adam. Peter helps run an astronomy centre that has its own observatory inbetween bacup and todmorden. From the M60/M66 junction its about 1/2 hours drive but for someone in your position very much worth it and I would highly recomend his offer to you.

I have been myself a few times and they are very helpful and decent chaps.

Steve

[LukeSkywatcher]

Really good advice and help here for Adam. Cant add anything else apart from do take up the offer or meeting up with Peter.