Looking at the manual for the scope from the above link it says that it uses 1.25"
Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
- omeek
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
Looking at the manual for the scope from the above link it says that it uses 1.25"
-Oliver
Telescopes: Orion XT8i, Zhumell Z12
EP's: Baader Ortho 6mm, Orion Expanse 9mm, Tele Vue 10mm Delos, ES 68° 16mm, ES 68° 24mm, 2" Q70 32mm, 2x Orion Shorty Barlow (and various Plossls)
Bino's: 12x42, 12x60
Telescopes: Orion XT8i, Zhumell Z12
EP's: Baader Ortho 6mm, Orion Expanse 9mm, Tele Vue 10mm Delos, ES 68° 16mm, ES 68° 24mm, 2" Q70 32mm, 2x Orion Shorty Barlow (and various Plossls)
Bino's: 12x42, 12x60
- Bigzmey
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
Agree! You set it to AltAz mode and it works just like AltAz mount.turboscrew wrote: ↑Wed Jun 09, 2021 11:25 am I don't understand the fuzz about EQ-mounts. As if they couldn't be used just like ALT-AZ mounts.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
- gregl
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
Thanks, Omeek. To Darkskywalker, as others have written, hold off on buying eyepieces for now. It's easy to make mistakes on this when you are starting out and end up spending money on something you'll rarely use. (Voice of experience here....I've got about $400 worth of glass that just decorates the eyepiece case.)
Someone once compiled a list of all the available eyepieces and the total was well over 800. The best way to figure out what you'd like is to borrow from the other folks at sky parties.
Someone once compiled a list of all the available eyepieces and the total was well over 800. The best way to figure out what you'd like is to borrow from the other folks at sky parties.
- Ruud
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
A 32mm GSO Plössl (low magnification, 52° apparent field) will show the largest true field that a 1.25" focuser has to offer. You'll find it useful for larger targets like star clusters and for sweeping the rich star fields of the Milky way. A lunar eclipse is also extra beautiful if you can observe it's dim red disk on a background of stars.
I've had one for about 15 years now, and it proudly sits in my eyepiece case between the 10 times more expensive eyepieces that I have. What matters more: it often sits in the focuser of my 72mm refractor when I go bird watching. Just because it's good and lightweight.
It's also affordable (a bit over $30). Check here: https://agenaastro.com/gso-32mm-plossl-eyepiece.html
---
The 60° apparent field Starguider Dual ED eyepieces are also good. They cost about $60. They may be sold out in the US (not sure about that though), but FLO in the UK usually has them: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-st ... piece.html.
TheGSO 32mm Plössl and the whole Starguiders range are good value.
---
Poor value are the eyepiece and filter kits for starters. Click here for an example. Avoid these, unless you think the case by itself is worth the money. If you're lucky you'll find just two or three items in the kit useful.
---
Before you start spending, get acquainted with your current setup. Look around on the second hand market and if you come across anything interesting, ask us if is worth buying.
I've had one for about 15 years now, and it proudly sits in my eyepiece case between the 10 times more expensive eyepieces that I have. What matters more: it often sits in the focuser of my 72mm refractor when I go bird watching. Just because it's good and lightweight.
It's also affordable (a bit over $30). Check here: https://agenaastro.com/gso-32mm-plossl-eyepiece.html
---
The 60° apparent field Starguider Dual ED eyepieces are also good. They cost about $60. They may be sold out in the US (not sure about that though), but FLO in the UK usually has them: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-st ... piece.html.
The
---
Poor value are the eyepiece and filter kits for starters. Click here for an example. Avoid these, unless you think the case by itself is worth the money. If you're lucky you'll find just two or three items in the kit useful.
---
Before you start spending, get acquainted with your current setup. Look around on the second hand market and if you come across anything interesting, ask us if is worth buying.
7x50 Helios Apollo ✶ 8x42 Bresser Everest ✶ 73mm f/5.9 WO APO ✶ 4" f/5 TeleVue Genesis ✶ 6" f/10 Celestron 6SE ✶ 0.63x reducer ✶ 1.8, 2, 2.5 and 3x Barlows ✶ eyepieces from 4.5 to 34mm
- Darkskywalker
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
[fimg][/fimg]
Yes it is 1.25"
- Darkskywalker
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
I'm looking to buy some binoculars for skywatching, any suggestions on a pair, under$100? Or what I should look for when looking?
- DeanD
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
At that price level I would suggest a porro prism binocular and something like the Pentax SP 10x50, Nikon Aculon 10x50, or the Oberwerk 8x56 or 11x56 LW'sDarkskywalker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:26 am I'm looking to buy some binoculars for skywatching, any suggestions on a pair, under$100? Or what I should look for when looking?
All the best,
Dean
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
- gregl
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
I vote for the 8x56. While 10x are quite popular I feel that they are right at the limit for hand-holding. Personally, they work for a short look but after some time fatigue sets in and they are just a little too much to hold comfortably. Also, Oberwerk claims they check every pair for proper collimation. There is nothing worse for binos than being out of collimation and some folks have found even big-name bimos that were out. I'm thinking of getting a pair of these for myself.
- GCoyote
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
I have a pair of 7x50, 10x50, and various lightweight 6x field binoculars. I find I use the 7x50 the most as they are small and light enough to keep handy, travel with, and hold for longer periods. Personal preference is going to be the biggest factor, if you are not comfortable using it, it doesn't matter what the technical specs are. The most important binocular accessory turned out to be a folding lounge chair. Great to tilt back and check out easier objects and relax during the upcoming summer meteor shower.
And bug spray! Never forget the bug spray!
And bug spray! Never forget the bug spray!
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C
Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
Gary C
Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
- mikemarotta
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
Congratulations and welcome. Your 4.5-inch reflector will serve you well for a wide range of observing programs. A lot depends on your skies. What is your backyard like? Can you see the Milky Way? That's a good measure of how dark your viewing area is. Even so, your telescope can cut through some small city light pollution. Let us know.Darkskywalker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 6:30 pm I just got a telescope someone gave to me, RP-300, seems like a decent beginner telescope.
Also, your telescope is sufficient to reveal interesting clusters. These are "deep sky objects"
I use the Sky & Telescope "sky tonight" web page to plan my viewing. https://skyandtelescope.org/interactive-sky-chart/
Right now, you have Scorpius-Sagitarrius coming up on your
A couple of people here recommended Turn Left at Orion. it is easy to endorse. On that basis, allow me to suggest that you rely on your library card before you buy books. Turn Left at Orion is fine. The thing with books is that some speak to you better than others. If you don't see what you want on the shelves or in the card catalog, ask the librarian.
You will really get a heck of lot of use of your telescope when winter comes. You are far enough north to enjoy some good darkness.
Learning to use a telescope is like learning to drive a car. It takes time. One purchase that I can recommend for the near future is a Lens and Filter Kit. They cost about $200. Several brands all have the same equipment from the same source. You will get eyepieces (oculars) in a range 32-17-13-8-6 millimeter and a 2X Barlow lens as well as filters to help with certain details, mostly for planets. I have had several telescopes over the last six years and gave two to the Goodwill because I was that unhappy with them. However, I never regretted the Celestron lens-and-filter kit which I bought because at local star parties, I saw other people with the same kit.
---------------------------------------
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
- mikemarotta
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
Thinking about this a bit more... The funny thing is that I have settled into just three lenses. The kit is fine for many reasons, but overall, rather than spend $200, it might make more sense to add to your eyepieces with one more: a 32mm. It will cost about $40. The few makers sell them through several other brands. It will give you a broader, wider, deeper view at lower power. The first thing we all learned was that more power does not equal a better view. With lower power (900 mm divided by 32 mm = 28 X) you get a wider view and can take in the entire Moon or the entire Pleiades.Darkskywalker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 6:30 pm I just got a telescope someone gave to me, RP-300, seems like a decent beginner telescope.I said: "One purchase that I can recommend for the near future is a Lens and Filter Kit. They cost about $200. ...
---------------------------------------
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
- GCoyote
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
Another good book for beginners:
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C
Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
Gary C
Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
- gregl
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
All beginners read that again.
Yes, more power magnifies the target but it also magnifies all the wiggles and jiggles in the Earth's atmosphere. There have been nights when I could look at Saturn and Mars at 225x (and one unique night when I got away with 338x) and other nights from the same location when 112x was the best I could get due to upper atmospheric turbulence.
Mike also wrote: "The funny thing is that I have settled into just three lenses." I think the same could be said for many of us. I've somehow acquired some 14 eyepieces but the ones I use the most give 81x and 112x (82 degree
- turboscrew
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
Yes! My minimum magnification is about 50x and I, sure, could use lower.mikemarotta wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 2:47 pmThinking about this a bit more... The funny thing is that I have settled into just three lenses. The kit is fine for many reasons, but overall, rather than spend $200, it might make more sense to add to your eyepieces with one more: a 32mm. It will cost about $40. The few makers sell them through several other brands. It will give you a broader, wider, deeper view at lower power. The first thing we all learned was that more power does not equal a better view. With lower power (900 mm divided by 32 mm = 28 X) you get a wider view and can take in the entire Moon or the entire Pleiades.Darkskywalker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 6:30 pm I just got a telescope someone gave to me, RP-300, seems like a decent beginner telescope.I said: "One purchase that I can recommend for the near future is a Lens and Filter Kit. They cost about $200. ...
- Juha
Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5
I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5
I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.
- Don Alvarez
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Re: Totally new to this, what can I expect to see?
You also need to remember here our relative distance from Mars can vary greatly. Right now it is very far away from us and I believe getting further. Since it is not a large planet, its distance from us will greatly impact how it appears to an amateur telescope even under the highest practical magnification. Every two years or so we will swing in for a closer look when it is in opposition. This will be around December of next year.Darkskywalker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 6:30 pmI have tried it out last 4 nights, everything just looks like dot, basically what you see with naked eye. Been no moon to try and see, I also tried looking at Mars last night, just looks like star.
Astronomy, if nothing else, is not for the impatient
Telescopes: 10" SkyLine Dobsonian, 6" Apertura F5 Newt, Celestron Nextar GT90, Meade Infinity 80
EP: 5.5mm, 8.8mm, 14mm, 20mm, 24mm Meade 5000 UWA's, BCO's w/ Q-Turret, 26mm, 32mm, 40mm Meade 4000 Plossls, Orion Expanse, 30mm, 20mm, 15mm GSO Superview, Various others.
Binocs: 15x70 Celestron Skymaster, 10x50 Levenhuk Karma Pro, 10x42 Bushnell, 8x42 Sans & Streiffe
Mounts: Meade LX70 with dual axis motors, Celestron GT, More miscellaneous tripods than a Martian invasion.
"The heavens themselves, the planets, and this center observe degree, priority, and place,
Insisture, course, proportion, season, form, office, and custom, in all line of order.”
EP: 5.5mm, 8.8mm, 14mm, 20mm, 24mm Meade 5000 UWA's, BCO's w/ Q-Turret, 26mm, 32mm, 40mm Meade 4000 Plossls, Orion Expanse, 30mm, 20mm, 15mm GSO Superview, Various others.
Binocs: 15x70 Celestron Skymaster, 10x50 Levenhuk Karma Pro, 10x42 Bushnell, 8x42 Sans & Streiffe
Mounts: Meade LX70 with dual axis motors, Celestron GT, More miscellaneous tripods than a Martian invasion.
"The heavens themselves, the planets, and this center observe degree, priority, and place,
Insisture, course, proportion, season, form, office, and custom, in all line of order.”
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