Hi I'm Blastroid (USA - Texas) - Future astrograph noob

[Blastroid]

I am new to the telescope world but have been doing Milky Way, star trails, and misc wide angle astrophotography for a while now. I love learning new things and get really nerdy about it trying to become an expert at anything I try. I am not rich but can spare a few thousand every year for hobbies I try and make a buck stretch where I can but enjoy quality at the same time. I try and go camping with my dog as often as I can and have spent many sleepless nights just photographing the sky. The next step from wide angle astrophotography is deep space imaging.

When building my parts list below I have spent many weeks watching every YouTube video and forum post I can find about any subject related to this field. I have decided on the Atlas Pro mount as it has the 45lb weight threshold that should support and future tube I would ever consider buying or carrying. Even if it is over kill for some tubes the extra stability and belt drive will not hurt. I have chosen the EdgeHD as I feel it is the sweet spot to do a little of everything. Good for viewing and taking photos. Also the added option of Hyperstar to make it a F2 if I care to spend the money. For now I do plan to put the work in for slower exposures and accumulating hours if not days of photos for a single image. If anything it will make me respect Hyperstar even more in the future as I would get to sleep earlier with that system.

I live in Texas and have access to a few dark sky places within 1-2 hr drive. For practice and misc shots I do plan to backyard shoot with all the light noise. I also plan to teach others once I am experienced enough as I can never contain all this geek to myself.

I plan to be active is the astro online communities and hope to eventually be able to answer question instead of ask questions. Until then below you will find my current shopping list and a few questions to get me started. Thanks for reading and hopefully responding.

FIRST PURCHASE (Around $4,200):
Part Type	Description
Mount	Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount
Optical Tube	Celestron EdgeHD TM 800 CG5 Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube
Photo Adapter	Celestron 93644 EdgeHD 8" Telescope Photo Adapter
Barlow Lens	Celestron 93436 Luminous 2-Inch 2.5x Barlow Lens
Pads	Orion 5155 RockStable Anti-Vibration Pads
Eyepiece	Celestron 93232 8-24mm Deluxe Zoom Eyepiece
OT Case	Celestron Optical Tube Carrying Case

FUTURE PURCHASES (Around $1,500):
Part Type	Description
Dew Control	Orion 3517 Dew Zapper Pro 4-Channel Control Module
OAG	Celestron 93648 Deluxe Off-Axis Guider
Autoguider	Orion 52064 StarShoot AutoGuider
Pole Align	QHYCCD PoleMaster
Reducer	Celestron .7x Focal Reducer For 8 Edge HD - 94242
Heating Band	Orion 3521 150mm (6-Inch) - 203mm (8-Inch) Telescope Heating Band
Heating Band	Orion 3519 2-Inch Eyepiece and 40-50 mm Finder Scope Heating Band

ALREADY OWN:
Part Type	Description
Camera	Sony A6000
T-Ring	E-Mount T-Ring
Misc eyepieces	1.25 - 9mm, 10mm, 15mm

DIY PROJECTS:
Part Type	Description
Power	Marine battery with 120v (200watt invertor) x1, 12v x 2
Laptop Dew	Laptop dew box + light protection (box w/head cloth)

QUESTIONS:

Q: Do you ever feel unsafe leaving your equipment setup for the night while trying to take a nap? I know the location is a big factor for this question so lets say a public camp ground with tent 30+ ft away with other campers in the area. What are some suggestions for reducing that fear?

Q: I currently have a Sony A6000 camera with a 24.1MP crop sensor. I notice unless you pay a pretty penny for a good CCD the stats don’t come close to the camera stats. I have heard mega pixels do not really matter for CCD's and am confused by that statement as the forum posts about it never seam to go into detail about the subject. Is even a low/med end CCD better than a DSLR or crop sensor digital camera? If I do choose a CCD it will be color as I do not want to use a filter wheel due to the Hyperstar area and also I do want purdy colors.

Q: Eventually I want to connect a CCD using Hyperstar on my EdgeHD but I noticed just the adapter to hook the CCD into is $900. That cost is scaring me away from the idea and the reason for wanting the EdgeHD to begin with. Any alternatives on the CCD mount method other than duct tape?

Q: I plan to get my rig built by March 2017 but if I decide on a cheaper $500 reflector I could possibly order sooner. I know the scope choice is really dependent on what you want to look at or take photos of but the astronomy bug is making the wait hard and I wonder if I should just go ahead and get some cheaper equipment to learn off of and have fun for a year instead. I do know I will not change my mind on the mount as I know that is the #1 decision and I want to future proof for future tubes without breaking the bank.
 

 

Edited October 26, 2016 by Blastroid

[JohnSadlerAstro]

Hi!

First of all, welcome to SGL, there are some really great guys/gals on here who are always happy to answer questions and give advice.

Personally, I'm not at any advanced stage with Deep Sky imaging yet, (mainly due to very, and I mean very, restricted pocket money amounts!) but I wish you all success on the journey which I, too have quite recently begun. Hopefully, you will be making some really amazing images soon.

On what kit you should get to begin with, I started with binos, then a 130mm Sky Watcher reflector for £140, ($200), and used that for a year before getting motor drives, webcams, etc. However, if you have already learnt the sky and have experience in observing, I imagine you'll be fine going in at the 'deep end'.

John

Edited October 26, 2016 by JohnSadlerAstro

[gnomus]

Welcome.

It's a very detailed post and I am not sure how much is set in stone.  I am also not clear if you want to image or to observe primarily.  If you want to observe and not image, then it is very difficult to beat a Dobsonian.  You will get a lot of aperture for not very much money.

If you do intend to image, I would strongly suggest you get hold of a book called 'Making Every Photon Count' written by Steve Richards.  I did what you did and read a lot of articles and watched a lot of stuff on You Tube.  Once I had decided that the Edge HD 8" was the way to go, I posted here to 'confirm' I was making the right choice.  People tried as tactfully as they could to persuade me that, for imaging, a short focal length refractor was the way to begin.  Of course, filled with the internet, I knew best and bought my Edge HD 8".  

Within a very short space of time I discovered the challenges of trying to guide a 2m tube with a budget (ie around £1000) mount.  My results were poor.  Within a very few months, I ended up buying a Skywatcher ED80 (as folks had been suggesting).  

Decide what you want to do.  If it is imaging get Steve's book and read it carefully.  You will save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

Good luck.

[Blastroid]

40 minutes ago, JohnSadlerAstro said:

On what kit you should get to begin with, I started with binos, then a 130mm Sky Watcher reflector for £140, ($200), and used that for a year before getting motor drives, webcams, etc. However, if you have already learnt the sky and have experience in observing, I imagine you'll be fine going in at the 'deep end'.

John

Hi John. The deep end does not scare me that much as the sticker shock for where I eventually want to be. I do know at the start I want to view a little and take some photos. I do not expect great photos starting out but will try my hardest. I know cost is not everything but for some reason I do not feel I would be happy with a $200 scope as I already bought a 200mm used AZ style and already feel it is beneath what I feel comfortable with or want. I have been as astronomy nerd even without a telescope for many years and feel comfortable with the sky, techniques, and most terminology. Also even if I don't get the scope first my very first purchase will be the Atlas Pro mount and would feel silly putting a starter scope on that beast.  I do need to tell myself to slow down sometimes so I appreciate the suggestions and will think about it.

[Blastroid]

15 minutes ago, gnomus said:

Welcome.

It's a very detailed post and I am not sure how much is set in stone.  I am also not clear if you want to image or to observe primarily.  If you want to observe and not image, then it is very difficult to beat a Dobsonian.  You will get a lot of aperture for not very much money.

If you do intend to image, I would strongly suggest you get hold of a book called 'Making Every Photon Count' written by Steve Richards.  I did what you did and read a lot of articles and watched a lot of stuff on You Tube.  Once I had decided that the Edge HD 8" was the way to go, I posted here to 'confirm' I was making the right choice.  People tried as tactfully as they could to persuade me that, for imaging, a short focal length refractor was the way to begin.  Of course, filled with the internet, I knew best and bought my Edge HD 8".  

Within a very short space of time I discovered the challenges of trying to guide a 2m tube with a budget (ie around £1000) mount.  My results were poor.  Within a very few months, I ended up buying a Skywatcher ED80 (as folks had been suggesting).  

Decide what you want to do.  If it is imaging get Steve's book and read it carefully.  You will save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

Good luck.

I plan to image more than view. The only reason is I know the limits to the human eye and even though there are plenty of things to view I know with long exposure there is so much more and feel I have something tangible at the end of a long night under the stars. The mount I have chosen should be able to handle the EdgeHD 8" and even more without a problem. Also with the mount I can use it as an AZ or EQ. I understand the benefits especially for photography of a refractor vs a reflector but feel for the money and future capabilities the Edge is where I want to end up. As as second scope I will probably end up with a refractor or if someone has a suggestion of a decent refractor for around $500 I may just start off with that. I do know I do not want a view only such as a Dobsonian. Even though I am new I have a beginner telescope for viewing and it is nice but I want to swim in deeper water even if I still have my life vest on. Also I forgot to mention I am a member of a few astro clubs so I can get hands on help with some of the things I need to learn. I have worked on some equipment but never really owned anything substantial yet. I have heard a few others recommend that book and will pickup a copy. Thanks!

Edited October 26, 2016 by Blastroid

[gnomus]

Sounds like you've made up your mind. 

Good luck.

[glowjet]

Hi Blastroid and welcome to SGL, That is one large astronomical equipment "bucket" list you have published.

For more detailed answers to some of your inquiries, I would recommend that you refer some of these to the imaging sections of the forum, rather than here in the welcome section, which is intended initially for new members to introduce themselves. There is a wealth of information and advice to be had from our imaging and photographic side, from Astronomers who may well be using, in part, some of the equipment you have listed, enjoy the forum  

[PeterCPC]

Hello and welcome. I also recommend starting imaging with a short focal length refractor like an ED80.

Peter

[Aaron F Johnson]

The rumor is everything is bigger in Texas...that list certainly runs true. Welcome to SGL...

[swag72]

Hi and welcome to SGL - Glad that you found us. There's loads of imaging information on the forum for you to enjoy

My immediate thoughts are that life IS much easier without Hyperstar and also with a short focal length refractor (such as an ED80). With the Hyperstar being such a fast focal ratio focusing becomes totally critical for starters and you are also a bit limited with the cameras you can use due to the central obstruction. 

I'd go for easy at this stage of your learning

Edited October 27, 2016 by swag72

[ronl]

Hello and welcome, hope you enjoy your time here in S G L, and good luck

with your list.

Clear Sky's

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL. I am no expert on astrophotography, but I do think that a dew shield/heater should be more of a priority with a SCT. Certainly in this country they are well described as being dew magnets. Perhaps the air is drier in Texas.

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire :-) 

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi Blastroid, welcome.

[nightster]

Welcome to SGL and also to the dark side of amateur astro. I was in your position 3 or 4 years ago and had a tighter budget then yours. Your doing a great job of planning, that is my first suggestion to people wanting to image to avoid purchasing mistakes.  The suggestions to begin imaging through a small refractor are absolutely pragmatic.  Even if you had a huge budget to buy an Mesu 200 mount that can handle almost any size scope you would want, I think the suggestion would still be to begin with a modest refractor. There are several reasons for this. First, as mentioned, is the focal length. That will be a really difficult FL to guide with success, even with a premium mount (Mesu, Paramount, AP, 10micron, etc.) Second, there will be a lot of skills that could take you months or years to become good, adding the challenge of that FL may mask your successes in those areas. Third, that FL may limit your target options. A wide field short FL fast refractor will give you targets in any season.  You mention your plan on using the Sony A6000. Decide which software program you plan to use for image aquisition and it's support of the Sony.  Your going to want to dither and you need to be able to pause the camera while the mount dither. I like your mount.  Consider the ED80 or even a nice used 80mm triple or a 70mm even. The money saved on the Hyperstar could be put into a premium focuser for a refractor, Feathertouch or Moonlite, possibly with a auto focus option. Focuser sag will break your heart. The AF alone will give you more sleep and less lost exposures. Plus the premium focuser can stay with you if you decide to upgrade the main scope. The SSAG is fine, the premium option here is the Lodestar or the X2 version. Plus there are many options for guiders that can also be used as planetary cameras, the SSAG cannot. There are nice little 50-60mm guidescopes that can be solid mounted on top of your refractor and will give you excellent tracking performance. Budget for premium mounting rings, dovetails for your rig. Flexure  is real and the smallest undetectable amount of wiggle will show up in a 600 second sub. This will help keep your sanity later. Power supply is usually an after thought but plan now how you want to power the rig. Dew Control is good and your smart to have researched it. Don't forget to budget for software. It can can be freeware or it can cost big money. Ask people about their favorites and add that to budget. One more thing about CCD, depending on how well you get along with the Sony you may one day want the low noise cooled astro cam. I highly recommend a mono ccd. They produce higher detail images quicker than the same camera/chip in its Color version. Ask Olly about this. And when used with filters they make color images. If your in a Light Polluted area using narrowband filter with the mono camera will allow to image right in your yard. There are new technologies out right now going through the community  and getting promising results, cooled CMOS cams. These can be 1/2 the price of a comparable CCD chip based astro cam. These new CMOS cams and can act as planetary cams as a bonus. 

 

Best of luck, jump into the forums and start learning. May the dark dry skies be with you.

Jeff

Edited October 28, 2016 by nightster

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

[des anderson]

Hi from a cloudy Essex. You ve come to the right place, lts full of people who thrive on giving advice. Des

[Charon]

Welcome aboard.

[triton1]

Hi there and welcome to SGL