Skysync/Starsense/Skyportal helpful for 9.25 AVX?

[Venzen007]

Hello, everyone. First post here.

I've purchased a C 9.25 AVX, and I'm trying to get some idea of the accessories I need to buy to best equip this setup for efficient viewing and planetary and lunar imaging with the possibility to experiment with DSO later, understanding my scope and mount aren't ideal for that.

First,
Any opinions on the usefulness of Skysync, Starsense, and Skyportal for this 9.25 AVX?

Second,
I've bought a ZWO camera and a Celestron 6.3 focal reducer. What else might I need? Filters? Recommended larger eyepieces or different diagonal or focusers, etc.?

I'm all ears (or eyes, in this case). Thanks.

[Graeme1858]

Hello Venzen

I have a suspicion you're going to get lots of answers to that question!

I have the 9.25 STC. I would get used to using it visually first while ideas come to you. But I'll go first with your list of things to get to go with it, a Bahtinov mask to ensure perfect focus every time.

Which ZWO camera did you get?

Welcome to the forum.

Regards

Graeme

[Venzen007]

Which ZWO camera did you get?

I got a ASI224MC at someone's suggestion.

I'll look into what you suggested, thanks!, And I hope I get lots of answers.

[Lowjiber]

I'll throw a PoleMaster on your list... https://www.qhyccd.com/index.php?m=cont ... =136&id=32

Clear Skies & Stay Safe

[JayTee]

Hello and welcome

If you like being out at your scope and you don't mind looking through the eyepiece then you need nothing else.

When you shoot lunar/planetary images, you want the focal length to be as long as possible, to even include a 2X barlow, so using the .63 focal reducer is counterproductive.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
JT

[Venzen007]

then you need nothing else.

So all else is bells and whistles, but can get the job done without, yeah?

When your shoot lunar/planetary images, you want the focal length to be as long as possible to even include a 2X barlow, so using the .63 focal reducer is counterproductive.

So, no issues with a 9.25 to get the entire disc of the moon in the frame?

[JayTee]

So, no issues with a 9.25 to get the entire disc of the moon in the frame?

It depends on the sensor size of the camera you intend to use. A small sensor won't show the whole disc, whereas a large sensor will. Go to this site to determine what camera works best with your setup.
https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/

Cheers,
JT

[Venzen007]

Go to this site to determine what camera works best with your setup.

That site is awesome . Can can you explain to me what the binning and angle fields are for (to what they refer)?
Thanks

[jrkirkham]

I think a lot depends on your age, eyesight, knowledge of the night sky, etc. My eyesight isn't as good as it once was. Two accessories I wouldn't be without on an SCT are the focal reducer and barlow. I like the focal reducer because it makes me feel like I have a convertible telescope. For years I used dobs. I liked their wide field and bright views. The focal reducer brings some of that back to my SCT. I also like barlows. I need more eye relief than I get from a lot of the higher powered eyepieces. The barlow lets me make a compromise and have both power and eye relief.

I also have Starsense on my SCT and like it, but when I switch to my refractor I don't use it. So I guess it is fun, but I can take it or leave it. I got it for my eyes and my back. It was getting a little harder to see the night sky for alignment. I also got tired of contorting to some of the positions I had to assume to align. I hoped that it would make alignment easier. It does, but it's not necessary. The best help for alignment is just practice.