Star gazers

Not sure if this belongs in the outdoors section, if so Mods feel free to move it. Seems like more of a hobby to me though...

Anyhow, I really love looking up at the night sky. Now that the wife and I have purchased a home outside the city limits I want to start exploring the possibility of purchasing a telescope. I don't want to break the bank but I don't want want a cheap cracker jack box one either. If anyone can give me some advise or point me in the right direction that would be awesome. I'm hoping and willing to spend a couple hundred dollars if that's feasible.

 

https://www.cloudynights.com is a great resource to start with.

 

I do astrophotography and love it. Check out the cloudynights website and read read read.
Be aware that like most hobbies, it can get very expensive, very fast. Lol

This is my current equipment.
ES127ED on an Atlas mount.
ZWO 183mc-pro primary camera
ZWO 120mc-s guide scope
80mm Celestron guide scope with custom mount rings
All controlled via ASIair and a tablet.

The smaller setup is a
Nikon D5300 18-55mm lens on a star adventurer with atlas 2" tripod
MGENII autoguider for guiding
50mm guide scope

 

Nice gear there!

Visual only here.

I've got a Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS I bought used last year. Re-entering astronomy after about a 40 year lay-off.

Some additions:

Alt/Az on a HD CPC Tripod
SkyFi 3 running Sky Safari Pro
Baader Cliklok 2" Visual Back and Diagonal
Baader 2" Eyepieces
Kendrick DigiFire FX-PRO Controller and dew straps​

Also, I just picked up my new Platinum CrewMax 2 days ago. Looking forward to the extra room! I love this truck!

-Dave

 

What’s with the zip loc bag and zip tie??

 

Heh, that was my "ghetto" counterweight system when I first got the larger diagonal and eyepieces last year! Pretty silly eh? The 2" diagonal and eyepieces added enough weight to put some strain on the on the alt drive, so I came up with this.

I have since upgraded to a sliding counterweight system that allows me to vary the weight - allowing me to hook up my digital camera onto the diagonal as well, as well as dew heaters, etc.

-D

 

I really like skysafari pro. It lets me lock on targets my hand controller can't. I don't think I've ever used my handcontroller because of that. LOL
Here's a few of my pictures. They aren't the greatest since I'm still learning to process, but they are recognizable lol.

M20 (Trifid Nebula)
Rho Ophiuchi region
Comet Neowise

 

Nice pics!

 

Here is my setup. Hand ground the 10”mirror and ended up being a year long project. Looking at getting a Cassegrain because this beast is so hard to move. No motor drive just manual adjustments.

 

Wow! What a beast! How was the grind project? I've considered trying it but I don't think I have the patience. Lol

 

Wow! Beautiful work!

-Dave

 

Nice Dob there!

I started around 40 years ago in my teens with a Criterion RV-6 Dynascope. Remember those?!

Even a 6 inch Newtonian was a bit clunky to move around. I can imagine a 10 inch Dobsonian is a bear!

-Dave

 

Wouldn’t have done it without the help of an expert. Joined an astronomy club where a experienced member gave advice and coaching. Did many hours of walking around the barrel but in the end it’s cool to use something that was created by hand.

 

Thanks, recently bought a new focuser which changed the focal length. I’m going to have to cut the tube shorter and shift the mirror closer. It should work but now it may require a larger secondary mirror to capture all the light coming from the primary. It’s been on my to do list but I’ve been occupied doing mods to my tundra instead.

 

+1 on the Tundra mods. I just picked up my new Tundra a couple of days ago, so I'm on the aftermarket prowl too, lol.

Great job as an amateur telescope maker. I had a friend in my club as a kid who won 1st prize for his 6 inch Rich-Field Newt at the annual Stellafane ATM convention in VT in the late '70's. A lotta work grinding a mirror man!

-DK

 

To answer Kenny’s original question I would suggest you look at what your intent will be. If you want astrophotography then go with either a gear drive Cassegrain as Dave shows on his deck or with the setup Notarobot has, both are sweet and both are very portable and both can be used for just observation. Take it from me if you get something that is not easily moveable it will just sit in the corner collecting dust.

 

First timer here! Any advice would be great!

 

Nice scope man! My advice? Get out there and use it as much as you can!

For specific advice on a range of subjects - join the Cloudy Nights Forum, dedicated to backyard astronomy in it's many different flavors.
I've gotten lots of help when I jumped back in a couple of years ago

Enjoy that Celestron!

-Dave

 

Going out tonight to see what we can find. Thanks for the advice!

 

I recommend downloading Skysafari6 on your phone or tablet. It has hundreds of thousands of objects. Stars, galaxies, nebula, planets, moons, comets, satellites. You can even setup your telescope in the app so you can get an idea of how the big/small the object will appear and when you can and can't see it.

I also recommend learning the stars and star hopping. Its great for finding an object near by and useful survival knowledge.

Learn about bortle skies and which one you are in. (Its a scale for light pollution). This will directly effect what you can and can't see where you set up.

 

Thanks I’ll check it out!