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Shelby United States of America
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Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#1

Post by Shelby »


I used to be a member of astronomyforum.net before it shutdown. I was guided to come here when I went to login today and found out the site was permanently closed.
I am looking to get back into this hobby again. I'm about to get a new set of equipment for stargazing to replace my old worn out set.
My name on the astronomyforum was Shelby123456789.

I have observed many comets since my initial interest started back in 2011.
I was only 11 back then, I am now 22 and still interested in astronomy.
I hope to hang around here and meet some of the others. Is there anyone else still here from astronomyforum?
My scopes: Sky-Watcher 150p (6") Classic Dobsonian (main scope), iOptron SmartStar N114 with GPS (not really used anymore)

My eyepieces: 25mm Skywatcher Plossl, 10mm Skywatcher Plossl, 25mm unknown brand, 9mm iOptron Kellner.

Filters: AstroZap Baadar Solar Film Filter for my SkyWatcher 6 inch, 6" OD Seymour Solar film filter for the N114

Camera: My smartphone

Comets: 19
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#2

Post by helicon »


Hi Shelby and Welcome to TSS! I was a longtime member (since 2012) of AF.net as well, as are many of the mod team and members. I hope you enjoy it here!
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#3

Post by Butterfly Maiden »


Hello Shelby and welcome to the Forum.
Vanessa

Nikon D82 Fieldscope with 30x/45x/56x angled eyepiece.
Olympus DPS-1 10x50 binoculars.
Leica 8x32BN binoculars.
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#4

Post by JayTee »


Hello Shelby

Welcome to TSS. Glad you joined us over here.

Cheers
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#5

Post by messier 111 »


:text-welcomeconfetti: back to the new place .
I LOVE REFRACTORS , :Astronomer1: :sprefac:

REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .

EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .

FILTER , Nebustar 2 tele vue . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches .

Mounts , berno mack 3 with telepod , cg-4 motorized , eq6 pro belt drive .

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”
― Isaac Asimov

Jean-Yves :flags-canada:
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#6

Post by turboscrew »


Hello and welcome.
- 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
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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.

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Thefatkitty Canada
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#7

Post by Thefatkitty »


Hi Shelby, welcome back from AF; been a while for sure. Look forward to hearing about what you purchase :D

All the best,
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4 & AZ-EQ5 mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.

Oh yeah, and Solar Cycle 25 :D
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Shelby United States of America
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#8

Post by Shelby »


Thefatkitty wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 9:58 pm Hi Shelby, welcome back from AF! Look forward to hearing about what you purchase :D

All the best,
I was actually wondering if someone could help me out a little on that.
My previous setup was an iOptron SmartStar N114 with GPS.
That one got dropped several times when I had the original flimsy mount that came with it, I got a better tripod for it, but the damage was already done. The motor doesn't work properly anymore no matter what I try and the optical tube was stored in a moist place for too long and has some rust on it, it is still able to use though. It has a crack on the focuser ring which I had to tape to fit eyepieces to it, but it pretty good other than that.

I am looking at getting something similar without goto capabilities, I want to look at the sky without guidance instead of having a computer tell me where to go.

I was looking at the Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ or the Celestron Cometron 114AZ. I heard some bad things about the powerseeker, so I think I am leaning more toward the cometron.

I will be using it for viewing planets and comets, the moon, the sun (with a filter, of course), and some nebulae like Orion or the nebula around the Pleiades.

Has anyone used these scopes before that could help guide my decision, or is there something better in that price range?
My scopes: Sky-Watcher 150p (6") Classic Dobsonian (main scope), iOptron SmartStar N114 with GPS (not really used anymore)

My eyepieces: 25mm Skywatcher Plossl, 10mm Skywatcher Plossl, 25mm unknown brand, 9mm iOptron Kellner.

Filters: AstroZap Baadar Solar Film Filter for my SkyWatcher 6 inch, 6" OD Seymour Solar film filter for the N114

Camera: My smartphone

Comets: 19
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#9

Post by Thefatkitty »


Hi again Shelby, I will weigh in on the Powerseeker, just don't :lol: I'm sure many others will agree. As for the Cometron, no experience with those. It does have a spherical mirror though, and may not be your best bet.
Have you thought about a 6" or 8" dob? Better mirror, and easier to find objects...

BTW, a nice time to get into Solar observing :D

All the best,
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4 & AZ-EQ5 mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.

Oh yeah, and Solar Cycle 25 :D
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#10

Post by Ylem »


Welcome home Shelby!
Glad you're here!
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


Member; ASTRA-NJ



Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
:D



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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#11

Post by pixelsaurus »


Welcome aboard Shelby.
Mike

Rokinon 135mm f/2 lens, Tamron 90mm f/2.5 SP lens
NcStar 20x70 binoculars
iOptron CEM26 Goto EQ Mount, iOptron SkyGuider Pro
iOptron miniGuidescope + QHY5P Guide camera
Pentax K500, Pentax K70, Pentax K1, QHY183C
NexStar Evolution 8 HD Telescope with StarSense, Wedge for NexStar Evolution and SE 6/8
Umbrella, gumboots.
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#12

Post by smp »


Hi Shelby, and welcome here to the Forum!

smp
Stephen
- - - - -
Telescopes: Questar 3.5 Standard SN 18-11421; Stellina (EAA)
Solar: Thousand Oaks white light filter; Daystar Quark (chromosphere) Hα filter
Mounts: Explore Scientific Twilight I; Majestic heavy duty tripod
Local Club: New Hampshire Astronomical Society
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#13

Post by WilliamPaolini »


Thefatkitty wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:16 pm Have you thought about a 6" or 8" dob? Better mirror, and easier to find objects...
A good point. And for $575, a little over 2x the price of the Powerseeker 127 EQ, you get something that is way more capable! This is the standard production 8" Dob I like best as it collapses for easier carry and storage and travel, has a much more useful right angle finder instead of the neck breaking straight thru ones many come with, and of course a 2" focuser. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... gK05_D_BwE

If that is too expensive then the 6" is also quite capable. Most 6" Dobs do not have 2" focusers so you lose the ability to observe a larger swatch of sky not being able to use 2" eyepieces. However, this one does come with a 2" focuser. Only downside is it has one of those neck breaking straight thru finders, but that is easily replaced. https://www.highpointscientific.com/sky ... ope-s11600
-Bill

U.S.A.F. Veteran - Visual Amateur Astronomer since 1966 - Fully Retired since 2019
8" f/5 Newt - Lunt 152 f/7.9 - TSA 102 f/8 - Vixen 81S f/7.7 - P.S.T. - Pentax 65ED II - Nikon 12x50 AE
Pentax XWs - Baader Morpheus - Takahashi LEs - Edmund RKEs - BST Starguiders - 6ZAO-II/5XO/4Abbe
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#14

Post by Richard »


Welcome to TSS , I agree a 6 to 8 inch dobs is the way to go , dont waste your hard earned cash on the powerseeker
Reflectors GSO 200 Dobs
Refractors None
SCT C5 on a SLT mount
Mak 150 Bosma on a EQ5
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#15

Post by Makuser »


Hi Shelby. It's great to have you join us here on TSS. And I also recommend a 6" or 8" Dob. You get a lot of aperture for the money and it is easier to set up or transport. Welcome to the forum Shelby and you can see a lot of former AF site members now on here.
:text-welcomeconfetti: TO TSS
Marshall
Sky-Watcher 90mm f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain on motorized Multimount
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 Refractor on EQ3 mount
Celestron Comet Catcher 140mm f/3.64 Schmidt-Newtonian on alt-az mount
Celestron Omni XLT150R f/5 Refractor on CG4 mount with dual axis drives.
Orion 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain on CG5-GT Goto mount.
Orion XT12i 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Intelliscope.
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#16

Post by KingNothing13 »


Welcome to TSS, Shelby. :text-welcomewave:

AI agree with all that's been said about a 6-8 inch Dob.
-- Brett

Scope: Apertura AD10 with Nexus II with 8192/716000 Step Encoders
EPs: ES 82* 18mm, 11mm, 6.7mm; GSO 30mm
Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars
List Counts: Messier: 75; Herschel 400: 30; Caldwell: 12; AL Carbon Star List: 16
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#17

Post by Refractordude »


Like your profile image and welcome. Get a 6" DOB.
Last edited by Refractordude on Fri Nov 19, 2021 12:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#18

Post by Graeme1858 »


Hello Shelby

Welcome to the forum.

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#19

Post by AntennaGuy »


Welcome to TSS, Shelby
:text-welcomewave: :telescopewink: :text-welcomeconfetti:
* Meade 323 refractor on a manual equatorial mount.
* Celestron C6 SCT on a Twilight 1 Alt-Az mount
Prof. Barnhardt to Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still: "There are several thousand questions I'd like to ask you.”
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Re: Hi, not new to astronomy, but new here.

#20

Post by Shelby »


Refractordude wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 10:25 pm Like your profile image and welcome. Get a 6" DOB.
Thanks, that is picture I took of the 2017 eclipse with my telescope and smartphone camera.

I am really thinking about saving money to get a 6 inch dobsonian now.
My scopes: Sky-Watcher 150p (6") Classic Dobsonian (main scope), iOptron SmartStar N114 with GPS (not really used anymore)

My eyepieces: 25mm Skywatcher Plossl, 10mm Skywatcher Plossl, 25mm unknown brand, 9mm iOptron Kellner.

Filters: AstroZap Baadar Solar Film Filter for my SkyWatcher 6 inch, 6" OD Seymour Solar film filter for the N114

Camera: My smartphone

Comets: 19
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