TheSkySearchers

Hi Everyone,

Quite the inverse of Henk's "Medusa", this is one cute little guy!

Meet the Sharpstar 61 EDPH2.

Instead of spending 2k on a new ASI2600 MC Pro, I opted for a much smaller scope to use with my ASI533 MC Pro. The camera's small sensor opened up some new targets for my Explore Scientific ED102 triplet. Even with the Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF at 571mm, the fov is small enough to get decent images of smallish galaxies. But, for larger nebulae and galaxies (M31), no way without doing a mosaic. With sometimes only one clear night a month, mosaics are not a good choice for me!

Measuring in at about 12" in its current configuration, it kind of looks funny! The 50mm RACI is about 1/3 the mass! I just might swap it out for a red dot.
The little scope is very similar to the Radian Raptor minus a few frills, but it really looks to be of very nice build quality. Super smooth focuser (2.5") and a nice clean feel.

Of course, the skies are clouded up with rain tonight, but I really am looking forward to mounting this little fellow on my Nexstar mount for some visual.

When the galaxy season is over, I will move my MMAG guider and ASI EAF autofocus motor to the little guy to use for imaging. It comes with a 0.8 FR/FF for a fl of 268mm at f4.5.

Looking forward to using the ED102 for some visual!

Which one is the scope, again?

Congrats on the new toy Jim, so cute!

Make sure you follow its proper exercise and feeding routine so it grows up to be a big healthy refractor one day!
That looks like a good one Jim, Sharpstar do make some nice telescopes.

Juno16 wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 10:08 pm Quite the inverse of Henk's "Medusa", this is one cute little guy!

No the Medusa is just the electronics with a bunch of cables hanging off it, not the scope!

Juno16 wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 10:08 pm Meet the Sharpstar 61 EDPH2.

That looks great! I've been wondering how I could attach a camera lens to my 2600, maybe something like that is the answer!

In fact last night in our online astro meeting from our local club one of the participants showed off some pictures of his redcat 51, they were mind blowingly beautiful! He gets better resolution with his redcat than me with my 12" so it seems (just an impression, it can't be true of course), so there is much to be said for such a little guy. It would work well on my AVX I bet.

That looks like a great scope, you will be taking some great wide field images!

Jim,

Are you sure your mount can handle all of that weight?

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Wed May 05, 2021 2:13 pm
No the Medusa is just the electronics with a bunch of cables hanging off it, not the scope!

That looks great! I've been wondering how I could attach a camera lens to my 2600, maybe something like that is the answer!

In fact last night in our online astro meeting from our local club one of the participants showed off some pictures of his redcat 51, they were mind blowingly beautiful! He gets better resolution with his redcat than me with my 12" so it seems (just an impression, it can't be true of course), so there is much to be said for such a little guy. It would work well on my AVX I bet.

That looks like a great scope, you will be taking some great wide field images!

Sorry Henk! I was thinking Medusa “monstrous”, not the electronics/cables. Medusa cabling/electronics describes quite a scene!
I’m hoping to have a lot of fun with wide field. Thanks Henk!

Gordon wrote: ↑Wed May 05, 2021 4:51 pm Jim,

Are you sure your mount can handle all of that weight?

It will look kind of funny, but when I dress it out with the guide scope, focus motor, FR/FF, filter drawer, spacers, and camera, it will have somewhat of a bigger appearance. Should be well under 10 lbs and with the fov, I’m hoping for some really nice and sharp stars.
Supposed to be clear tomorrow night. I plan to get it outside with the Nexstar mount and do some “looking around “.

Thanks Gordon!

I was looking at one of these smaller scopes to maybe use as a guide scope on either my RC or Edge. Still thinking about them.

Congrats Jim, I’m sure you can pack a lot of photons into its compact form. Can’t wait to see what you produce.

Congrats Jim.

Remember it's not the size of the toy that matters it's the fact that you now possess it.

Cheers,
JT

Looks like you can have a lot of fun with the new scope. It's nice to see scopes starting to ship again!

Congratulations Jim!
We all love looking at new toys here, have fun

Little scopes are fun, guaranteed! Enjoy