1518 replies to this topic

[Lord Beowulf]

Minimalistic scope set for planetary is now complete : ) Adapted WO WD-EP2-S provides 25mm exit aperture, which is enough for WO binoviewer with 18mm-4.7mm EPes range I'm using with APM already. Short position of diagonal allows to include 6.3 reducer and keep enough light pass for other EPes focusing.

 

sDSCF4023.JPG

Nice.  I'm guessing that's a prism diagonal?  LOVE my WO binoviewer.  I swapped from the default 20 mm PLOSSLs to 14 mm 83 degree Explore Scientific to have the same available FOV.  Works great!

 

Beo

[Don W]

Enough chatter! This thread is for pictures. If you want to have a discussion, start a NEW thread!

[Lord Beowulf]

 

 

 

[Allan4234]

Quick update to my 6SE: I mounted a flexible gooseneck lamp to the arm, using an adapter plate I printed. The LED lamp has both white and red illumination modes and is powered by one of the ASIAIR’s 12VDC outputs. 

 

[Navige]

This is my first post on CN, I have been lurking here for years for info and just made my first purchase from the classifieds last week.  This is my wedge mounted 6SE on extended dovetail.  With attached QHY5L-IIc guide scope, starsense, astromodified canon xsi, 0.63 reducer, and PowerBook booting from windows 8 running cwpi, phd2, and backyard eos.  I also have a piggyback for using my 50mm f1.8, 14mm f2.8, 85mm f1.8, and 70-300mm f5.6 lenses.

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[BazzaAlpine]

This is my first post on CN, I have been lurking here for years for info and just made my first purchase from the classifieds last week.  This is my wedge mounted 6SE on extended dovetail.  With attached QHY5L-IIc guide scope, starsense, astromodified canon xsi, 0.63 reducer, and PowerBook booting from windows 8 running cwpi, phd2, and backyard eos.  I also have a piggyback for using my 50mm f1.8, 14mm f2.8, 85mm f1.8, and 70-300mm f5.6 lenses.

 

How do you find the mount handles the weight for tracking? I have a 6SE with a starsense, Nexguide (1st gen, soon to be changed to a ASI120MM mini) and I'm finding it struggles with a fair bit of slack between directions.

[hipertec]

Finally took my CPC925 out after about 8 months of storage.  Just to the yard, on a clear night.

 

 

Celestron CPC925, Starsense, Wifi Module, Tablet with SkySafari, TalentCell Battery Pack

[Cfeastside]

My new evo 925    First goto scope and this thing is rad!   Upgraded to the 2” celestron diagonal.  

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[Scott123]

Here's my latest scope, a Celestron Nexstar 8. It is a gift from my brother, who is upgrading to a larger scope. I'll set it up soon, but it's snowing(!) this morning! I am very grateful for the scope, my brother got it from someone who only used it a few times. Its funny - neither of us realized the other had astronomy for a hobby. 

 

[strgzrSulli]

I’ve been away from astronomy for a few years due to an early morning commute and a health issue that popped into my life three years ago.

I now have the time to observe and as such, i recently had the opportunity to purchase a new Nexstar 5i from Michael Bieler. It had been custom made for his father, Fred Bieler founder of Astronomics. According to Michael it had never been used. It was even shipped to me still wrapped in plastic in the original Celestron shipping boxes.

Lord knows I did not need a new telescope as I already have a Nexstar 9.25 GPS. I also have a  Celestar 8 and a Celestron C5+ both with optical encoders and a Lumicon Sky Vector II digital setting circle.

I just finished beefing up and adapting a laser level tripod for it. I also purchased a new Celestron lithium power tank to; so first light will probably be tomorrow night weather permitting.

 

I

[strgzrSulli]

It did not go well last night. I went out at dusk to let my new Nexstar 5i cool down. While waiting I entered all the time and location information. Soon after the first stars popped out I chose Polaris as my first alignment star for the two star alignment. For my second I slewed to Arcturus and again went thru the centering and align process and was met with alignment failed. I went thru the complete routine again checking time, location, time zone, daylight savings, etc. all looked good. I picked Polaris again and Spica and again alignment failed. Again and again picking different stars checking time, location, etc with the same result. I don't know what I was doing wrong, but after about an hour and a half of alignment failed, I was frustrated and cold so I packed it in for the day. 

I've had the Nexstar 5i running on a bench all day after re-entering the setup information again and running a sudo one star alignment with Polaris. I did the same with my 9.25 GPS. I guess I'm just use to my 9.25 GPS just working. (although with a new upgraded Nexstar+ HC which I have not had out yet, I might also be frustrated.)

Supposed to be rain and storms rolling in for a few days so maybe I will be in the right frame of mind by the next clear night.

[Don W]

And again!!! This thread is for pictures, not discussion!

[Cfeastside]

from last night

 

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[Ddaniel84]

My setup and the observatory!

Nextar C8 Evolution + Wedge + Starsense / CPWI

Imaging: Atik Infinity / SharpCap

Guiding : ZWO ASI120 MCS / PHD 2

Pre-treatment: DSS (not definitive - PRISM? Else?)

Dominique ( south of France)

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[Slayer77]

Hello everyone! I am new here and FINALLY bought a telescope. I have always been fascinated with all space related stuff. I am slowly getting use to everything. And I am sure that by the time I get comfortable with everything I will want to upgrade! My end goal is to get into astrophotography. I already have an old Nikon D90 DLSR camera that I can start with and grow from there! Good luck everyone and clear skies!

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[derherr65]

Just getting started...

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Edited by derherr65, 04 July 2020 - 12:37 AM.

[Ddaniel84]

My new residence 

[jmillsbss]

How do you find the mount handles the weight for tracking? I have a 6SE with a starsense, Nexguide (1st gen, soon to be changed to a ASI120MM mini) and I'm finding it struggles with a fair bit of slack between directio

If I can drop in, I have a 2020 model C8 on my Nexstar 6/8.  It struggles with AA batteries regardless, so I bought a TalentCell battery.  You probably have that sorted out anyway.

 

As to weight, I hung all my add-ons on the OTA The StarSense, laser pointer, dew shroud, 2" diagonal and Nagler 22T4.  Then I balanced all that on a pencil, horizontal on a table.  I marked that center line on the dovetail and I place that mark directly in line with the center of the Alt axis.  All my grunting and groaning ceased.  Honestly, it's probably overloaded, but when it's balanced it's markedly better.  I see an Evo mount in the future, especially if I start EAA.   Best thing, all that rear weight make you move the OTA forward in the mount, which also helps with clearance at zenith.  Good luck!   J

[JTank70]

 

 

Here is my 8" Edge HD. 

 

I have been learning about EAA and have been using Sharpcap on my laptop connected via a active usb cable with the ASI294MC Pro.

Recently acquired the AsiAir Pro which will eliminate the usb cable.  At the moment I connect the Evolution mount wifi to my laptop and run CPWI for GOTO, Mount and focuser control and connect the camera to my Galaxy Tab wifi via the AsiAir pro.   Still learning the ins and outs on this setup.  

 

I am picking up a used SkyShed Pod in a couple of days so i can leave the Edge set up and ready to go.

 

JT