New Beginnings

[DaveRH63]

Hello everybody. I have been interested in Astronomy and photography for many many years but never thought to combine them until quite recently when I came to own equipment that a dear friend had left to me. I also moved to Cheltenham a couple of years ago and that has given me direct access to the magical Cotswold Hills.

My friend never really took the hobby to the next level, something that I am hoping to do, but to be honest, despite reading books and watching countless You Tube clips, I find that there is so much I still don't understand and so this is why I joined this forum in the hope of getting some helpful tips and advice from you all.

I understand the setting up of the tripod (levelling, orientation etc) adding the EQ Mount and all the accessories, putting it all into the home position, balancing including East Bias and polar alignment etc etc  but I then hit a bit of a wall because at this point I am still not sure as to which comes next - do I do the star alignment using the Synscan, if so which camera the primary one or the guiding one, or do I set up the guidscope first? so many questions I have but now is not the time as this is supposed to be an introduction lol.

Anyway, I look forward to talking with you all in the near future and who knows, one day I hopefully will have some Astrophotography images to share.

Kind Regards

Dave

[adyj1]

Welcome Dave, 

As you'll come to learn in astronomy, there 'taking photos' and 'astrophography'. Level of expenditure separates the two.... 🙂

(well, to be fair there are different expenditure levels of AP, its just I don't have the self control to stay at the budget level 😂) 

Don't hesitate to ask questions as you come across them - starting out on your own can be a bit of a challenge... 

Ady

 

[Lee_P]

Welcome Dave, you've come to the right place to ask lots of questions! 😁

[DaveRH63]

Hi Ady,

Thank you. I suppose I can count my blessings when it comes to budgets 😂 I have only had to purchase a few items to complete the set as it were. I must admit though when I first saw the equipment laid out on the floor I was a little bit overwhelmed and even considered selling it on, glad I didn't but instead decided to grab the bull by the horns and go for it 😀

Looking at the night sky through a telescope is something I have always enjoyed but the photos I have seen recently from people like yourself just blows the mind. I can't wait to get stuck in as it were and will not hesitate to ask for advice and help when I feel the need.

Dave

[DaveRH63]

Thanks Lee P

I hail from Bristol, but never really took much interest in Astrophotography when I lived in the city, not until I moved to Cheltenham did I become interested in this subject.

Dave

[mikeyj1]

Welcome Dave, both Ady and I are just north of Cheltenham, and there is also an astronomy Club (CAS Cotswold Astronomy Club) which (in the normal past times!) ran monthly meetings in Shurdington hall.

cheers

Mike

[barbulo]

Hi and welcome to the Lounge!

[PeterCPC]

56 minutes ago, DaveRH63 said:

do I do the star alignment using the Synscan, if so which camera the primary one or the guiding one, or do I set up the guidscope first? so many questions I have but now is not the time as this is supposed to be an introduction lol.

Hello and welcome.

Yes you need to Polar Align and then do the alignment routine. I use an EP to do this but you can use the camera (primary). Once that's all done you goto your target and set up your guide camera. Don't forget about focusing them both although the focus of the guide cam is not so critical.

[DaveRH63]

Thanks Peter, l was thinking that was the correct order, but needed to be sure. The primary camera is a astro modified Canon 450D and the autoguuder is a Starshoot mounted to an Orion 50mm Guidescope

[DaveRH63]

1 hour ago, mikeyj1 said:

Welcome Dave, both Ady and I are just north of Cheltenham, and there is also an astronomy Club (CAS Cotswold Astronomy Club) which (in the normal past times!) ran monthly meetings in Shurdington hall.

cheers

Mike

Hi Mike, Thank you. I live in Prestbury so just around the corner.  I used to belong to the Bristol Astronomy Club for many years, but that was quite a few years ago. It would be good though to rejoin one. 

Dave

[DaveRH63]

1 hour ago, barbulo said:

Hi and welcome to the Lounge!

Thank you

[banjaxed]

Hi Dave, welcome to SGL.

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi Dave, welcome.

[Floater]

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun and success with the AP. 🙂

[Jp114]

22 hours ago, DaveRH63 said:

I also moved to Cheltenham a couple of years ago and that has given me direct access to the magical Cotswold Hills.

I’m not too far from that area, I’d definitely appreciate a heads up on some decent dark sky locations. 

[DaveRH63]

Hi, I have walked across most of Cleeve Common and the surrounding hills, but yet to take my equipment up there.  It does get dark up there at night but couldn't say which area is best at the moment.

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire🙂

[Gogleddgazer]

Hi Dave and welcome, looks like you have a good start to your astro journey with the gear you have inherited. Good luck and enjoy getting to grips with it all. I am having a blast (along with a few frustrations) as I pursue my own foray into the night skies.

Cheers

John

[01012f]

Welcome Dave