Hi from Cambridge, UK

[wobblewing]

Hi all,

I've recently bought a Skywatcher Heritage 150p / 750 (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/sky-watcher-heritage-150p-flextube-dobsonian-telescope.html).. Still waiting for it to arrive.  Have also bough a 2x barlow to go with it (and a moon filter, too).

My son is really into space stuff, so I primarily bought it for him - but I can see me really getting into this myself!  Complete beginner, but have always wanted to have a go... I see some great images with folks using the 150/750 combination.. Did lots of research beforehand and it seems like a great option to start on (a new model it seems).

Once we get used to it I'd really like to try some imaging with my mobile phone or webcam or something similar, with a bit of image stacking ( I don't have a DSLR and in any case I think it'll be too heavy to fit it onto the focuser of this model telescope).  Looks like you can get respectable results with a simple setup.

Would appreciate some tips (have read about a shroud around the truss's and PTFE tape on the focuser thread is a good idea)

 

Edited December 20, 2020 by wobblewing

[M40]

Hello and welcome wobblewing (great name ) excellent telescope, not just as a starter either, very transportable. Reading your post, I can't give you any tips on the telescope itself other than it's a pick it up, place it outside on a table or similar, point it at what you would like to observe and away you go 👍 If It can be kept safe in a shed in the garden, fantastic as minimal temperature challenges then. Before you get it, rather than buy anything else for the telescope, I would opt for a phone app like stellarium plus a planisphere so you can start to locate things in the night sky.

You do realise that you are now doomed like the rest of though don't you? you mention imaging, stacking, DSLR....... doomed 🤣

[Neil H]

Hi and welcome i had the older 150/750 lovely scope sorry cant on the tape but the shroud will stop stray light getting in 

I use my phone alot for images and get mixed results your have to do a short exposure as this set up dont track  some one will pop up and give you more info i am newish to this as well 

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL.

[SStanford]

Hi Wobblewing, welcome to SGL! 

As recommended before, I think it would be best to wait before acquiring any further kit. Get yourself well acquainted with your scope first, this will however require clear skies! 

Before I bought a DSLR (exclusively for astrophotography) I was able to get great pictures of the moon and to a lesser extent Jupiter and Saturn by just putting the phone camera to the eyepiece. 

[PEMS]

Hi, I would wait a while before you leap into the AP side. It is more specialist then many realise, and really requires a driven equitorial mount. Also slight concern the 150/750 images were from the 150PDS not the "standard" newtonian form.

If Cambridge there is a club there (or was) they met at the Institute of Astronomy. Think the Institute held events weekly and the club had a monthly club meeting. Somewhat both were mixed together.  People have said the weekly Institute activity is children orientated.

Bit North East there is one at Ely, and South West one at Letchworth. Should be one at Papworth - but that one seems quiet and also St Neots again seems to have gone quiet. Just mention in case Cambridge is the nearest big place.

[richard ashbee]

Hi and welcome to the group lots of people to help on here

[Floater]

Welcome. Hope you and your son have lots of fun on the learning curve. 🙂

[Saganite]

Welcome to SGL....

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL 

[Xsubmariner]

Welcome to SGL, glad to hear you are enjoying this hobby.

[Nigella Bryant]

Welcome to the forum.

[banjaxed]

Hi and welcome to SGL.

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi and welcome. 

[wobblewing]

Thanks for your warm welcome.

As I said, this for my son, but I can feel myself being sucked in already - and it's not even arrived yet 😄  I'm a sucker for technical hobbies, what with flying microlight, RC models and 3D printing - I'm an electronics designer by profession so I guess I'm doomed.  Nevertheless I need to avoid the temptation to spent too much money on it!  I particularly like 'astrobiscuit's youtube channel, being a fun way of presenting what you can achieve with a small budget.

The observatory at Cambridge University sure is a good place to visit, housing the 'Northumberland telescope', from 1830 being one of the largest refractor telescopes of its time.. Still in operation and you can have a go on it if you visit.  Also suitable for kids and I've taken a group of Cubs there.

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2020 by wobblewing

[wobblewing]

PS... I have already loaded 3 stargazing apps ... Stellarium being one of them - they all seem quite good.

[richard ashbee]

Stellarium is a great app

[wobblewing]

You must get some decent dark skies in Shetland (when it clears!)... I'm out of the city by about 8miles, but think light pollution is going to be my main issue.

[richard ashbee]

still have some issues with light pollution in Shetland especially at Sullom Voe oil terminal and Sumburgh airport but we do have many dark areas close by. Its not just light pollution wind is a big problem, trying to photograph the conjunction in a force 6 doesn't work

[wobblewing]

Yes, Shetland and Orkney has is sorted for electric generation via wind power!

[Neil H]

You can download a light pollution map which will finding dark sites near you . Godmanchester may be a good place 

[wobblewing]

I'm in Cambourne, not far from there.  I have a great view to the South from my garden, over fields etc.

 

Edited December 21, 2020 by wobblewing

[W0nderste]

Hi @wobblewing

sounds like I'm on a similar journey to you with a similar background.  I initially bought a telescope for the kids and now I'm hooked.  Can't quite believe it took me so long to he honest to try astronomy.

hopefully I'll be able go to some Cambridge astronomy meets when they get going again next year.

good luck with the new telescope

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire 🙂

[sloz1664]

Hi, and a very warm welcome to the Lounge 😀

Steve