Newbie needs advice

[Rughead77]

Hello, I just got a celestron nexstar130slt. I was wondering if a 3x Barlow is a bit much starting out. I Bought a 2x celestron and wonder if I was being too safe? Great to join you folks. I can see this is going to get expensive!!

[xvariablestarx]

3x CAN be too much, it all depends on the eyepiece you pair it with.

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi there, welcome. 

[Stargazer33]

Hi and welcome. Yes it can get very expensive very quickly!

The technical information on Celestron's site says that the maximum useful magnification is 307×. With your stock eyepieces - 25 mm & 9 mm giving you 26× & 72× respectively, a 3× Barlow would give you 78× & 216× so within your 'scopes maximum.

Having said that, the 307× max is under ideal conditions and may be a little optimistic anyway. 

Stock EPs are not always that good a quality either. You would be better off sticking with your 2× Barlow and upgrading your EPs.

[cletrac1922]

First of all welcome from land down under

I use 2 X barlow, and have some of my club members, when imaging with a Meade LX200, actually piggyback a 2 X barlow and 3 X barlow

Agree with Stargazer33, EP's make all the difference

Have a Celestron metal case which came with 5 EP's from 32MM down to 5MM, and also included filters and 2 X barlow

You would  not go far wrong with that

John

 

[Rughead77]

Wow, really nice people in this lounge......I look forward to this journey....thanks for all the advice...I am going going with the 2x Barlow until .....

interesting article.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2017/09/19/new-space-telescope-40-times-the-power-of-hubble-to-unlock-astronomys-future/.  Still I am captivated with my telescope 

[Saganite]

Hi there, welcome to SGL. 

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL.

[Demonperformer]

Hi & welcome to SGL. 

I have a 2x amend a 3x Barlow.  The 2x gets a lot more use.

Enjoy the journey. 

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL form Pete in Bedfordshire