70 replies to this topic

[EsaT]

I use a cheap green laser.  There are better ones.  I think output is variable with the cheap ones.  You may get a bright one, or may get a dim one.  Mine is effected by temperature.  If I mounted it, in the winter the output would go way down and be invisible.

Cheap one can also have safety issues pumping out far more IR power than visible light.
 

https://skyandtelesc...-hidden-danger/

[Dave Mitsky]

Thanks everyone.  I think I will start with a green laser pointer that I can attach to "something" and then put it back in my pocket.  We are in a rural area but I will be careful of planes.  I also may build that LYBAR chair - that's cool.  And I will look at some of the book and other recommendations you have shared.  Thanks a bunch.

You may find some of the information on astronomy, amateur astronomy, and observing presented in my post (#22) at https://www.cloudyni...mers/?p=5184287 useful, Charlotteda.  There are sections on various books, observing guides, star-hopping, stellar atlases, planispheres, planetarium programs, astronomy apps, deep-sky object observing, lists of worthwhile celestial objects to observe, binocular astronomy, and one on urban astronomy towards the bottom of the post.

[Astrodomus]

I just sold my xt6, but also have a xt8.  The best purchase I made was for a Telrad finder, makes everything much easier to point.  The second best purchase was the observation chair.  This has adjustable heights.  However, I also found a folding camp chair is just about the right height for the xt6, so you may want to try that option first.  The third best purchase was 3 different phone apps to help understand what I was looking at.  I started with the free versions of "Night Sky" and "SkySafari".  Only upgraded to Sky Safari Pro 7 as a paid app.

Hope that helps.

[SteveG]

The green laser pointers on Amazon are so cheap - they can't be any good - can they?  

Might something like this - Astromania Universal Dovetail Base for Finder Scope - Ideal for Installation of Finder Scope, Green Laser Pointer Bracket - fit my telescope?  I'm sure not going to drill a hole anywhere this early in the game LOL.

 

Are the pinty green lasers for guns? Pinty Green Laser Sight Hunting Rifle Dot Scope Adjustable with Mounts

No, the cheap Amazon lasers are very poor, and could cause eye damage from IR leak. Spend the money once, for a laser that will last and work in cold weather.

The Pinty is too bright, IMO. It will cause your night vision to suffer, plus it requires a different mounting than most astro accessories. Here is a top of the line green astro laser:

https://www.custom-l...omy-green-laser

 

Your scope should have a mounting "shoe" for your finder. You can purchase this bracket to hold the laser, and it fits in your scopes mounting shoe:

https://www.amazon.c...2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Edited by SteveG, 15 January 2023 - 02:20 PM.

[gnowellsct]

I think the Dobsonian 6" is an excellent first scope choice.  And maybe excellent second, third, and fourth choice.  It's a good aperture and portable with quick setup.

 

You can get better eyepiece access if you or your husband are handy enough to affix the bottom of the dob to a three legged stool.   Altitude goes a long way to help aging necks point these things.  My son put his 4.5" Star Blast on a tripod/alt-az mount and it transformed the instrument from a curiosity to a fun tool to have out observing.  As sold, the Star Blast comes up to an adult's knees and you have to get on your knees to have a look.

 

I'm very much a fan of equatorial mounts, but if you want to prioritize eyepiece access and ease of finding to objects here is something like this:

 

https://www.celestro...GrKcbVP-V1XEzFA

 

which however gets into higher budget, greater complexity, power supply, and depending on region, dew control.   But the eyepiece is always in an easy position and the neck-craning is reduced to practically zero.  

 

I like this review of different beginner telescopes because the discussion is intelligent and gives you a sense of different options with pros and cons.  Your choice, the starter dob, is in there, but as an 8 inch instead of a 6 inch.  Wirecutter is open access (no subscription) as far as I know.

 

https://www.nytimes....-for-beginners/

 

Greg N

Edited by gnowellsct, 15 January 2023 - 02:36 PM.

[TheChosen]

Only one person above has advised getting a 40mm 2inch eyepiece. That will give you 2+ degrees of the sky (or about 4-5 moons).

 

Since I got my 40mm 2inch 70+ FOV eyepiece I basically do not use the finder anymore, except for the first pointing or when losing the planets in high-mag to re-center.

 

The price starts from about 47$ if sourced from Aliexpress.

 

The added benefit is that you can fit the entire Pleiades in the view and the whole journey of finding stuff is done through the primary mirror.. so basically a lot more time that counts as observing.

[Rabbanah]

Only one person above has advised getting a 40mm 2inch eyepiece. That will give you 2+ degrees of the sky (or about 4-5 moons).

 

Since I got my 40mm 2inch 70+ FOV eyepiece I basically do not use the finder anymore, except for the first pointing or when losing the planets in high-mag to re-center.

 

The price starts from about 47$ if sourced from Aliexpress.

 

The added benefit is that you can fit the entire Pleiades in the view and the whole journey of finding stuff is done through the primary mirror.. so basically a lot more time that counts as observing.

Agreed. One of my setups doesn’t even have a finder scope of any sort. I simply use a wide field eyepiece and have very little issue. 

Edited by Rabbanah, 17 January 2023 - 06:41 PM.

[hcf]

You might also be interested in adding setting/degree circles for Az and a digital inclinometer for Alt as simple tools to help find objects in the night sky.

 

 

https://www.cloudyni...etting-circles/

 

https://www.cloudyni...degree-circles/

 

 

 

[Dave Mitsky]

Here's a shot of my smallest Dob, which happens to be an old 6" f/8 Orion SkyQuest XT6, and one of my adjustable observing chairs.  I'll often just use a folding chair, sometimes with a cushion, instead.

In addition to the supplied optical finder scope, I have a mounting bracket for a Rigel QuikFinder on this telescope.

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[Charlotteda]

Thanks all.  

 

Well we tried the green laser from Amazon with mixed results.  Man that thing is bright and really does look pretty in the night sky.

We know so little and it was dark and cold!  We agreed we need to try again on a warmer evening.

I have not problem with purchasing a finder BUT at this point - simply attaching it to the scope is intimidating. For instance - 40mm 2inch 70+ FOV eyepiece - this sounds nice but I have no idea what it is - or where to stick it if I get it LOL

So many options - this sounds a lot like photography and explains why after 30 years my digital camera is still on auto  

[Chad7531]

Thanks all.

Well we tried the green laser from Amazon with mixed results. Man that thing is bright and really does look pretty in the night sky.

We know so little and it was dark and cold! We agreed we need to try again on a warmer evening.

I have not problem with purchasing a finder BUT at this point - simply attaching it to the scope is intimidating. For instance - 40mm 2inch 70+ FOV eyepiece - this sounds nice but I have no idea what it is - or where to stick it if I get it LOL

So many options - this sounds a lot like photography and explains why after 30 years my digital camera is still on auto

The 40mm is just a wide angle eyepiece for maximum FOV in your scope, it goes in the focuser. You still need a finder though, it’s not that wide. Better yet, setting circles. It’s all summed up in here https://www.cloudyni...s/?fromsearch=1

Edited by Chad7531, 18 January 2023 - 05:51 PM.

[David Knisely]

The main problem with green lasers (other than potentially causing problems with low-flying aircraft) is that they do not function well at low temperatures like we are experiencing now.  They need to be kept quite warm to continue to produce that bright green beam (they also tend to eat batteries).  I still recommend the use of something like a Telrad on a Telrad riser to make it easier to look through, as well as an adjustable chair or observing stool.   Clear skies to you.

[smacbride]

As other people have mentioned, the Telrad finder is the way to go.  I have them all my scopes and they are easy to use.

[Bill Weir]

I think the Dobsonian 6" is an excellent first scope choice.  And maybe excellent second, third, and fourth choice.  It's a good aperture and portable with quick setup.

 

You can get better eyepiece access if you or your husband are handy enough to affix the bottom of the dob to a three legged stool.   Altitude goes a long way to help aging necks point these things.  My son put his 4.5" Star Blast on a tripod/alt-az mount and it transformed the instrument from a curiosity to a fun tool to have out observing.  As sold, the Star Blast comes up to an adult's knees and you have to get on your knees to have a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greg N

I’m with Greg on this regarding the raising of the scope to a better level. You mentioned you might build a chair so build a platform too. With my 6” Orion it’s now essentially at the level of my 2 other much bigger scope and a chair still works. On the other hand with a recent snow it was better to just stand.

 

Bill

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[KWB]

I have not problem with purchasing a finder BUT at this point - simply attaching it to the scope is intimidating. For instance - 40mm 2inch 70+ FOV eyepiece - this sounds nice but I have no idea what it is - or where to stick it if I get it LOL

 

Hello and welcome

 

No need to be intimidated by some of this jargon. An 40mm 2inch 70+ FOV eyepiece is just simply an eyepiece that inserts into the focuser of your telescope with the 1.25 inch adapter removed. Using a low power wide field eyepiece is one type of finding device. A RDF is another. An 9 X 50 magnified finder is another. A laser is another. A Rigel or Telrad yet another.

 

There is more than one way to tree a coon or in others words, a number of different options to help you find an object in the night sky. 

[Chad7531]

Hello and welcome

No need to be intimidated by some of this jargon. An 40mm 2inch 70+ FOV eyepiece is just simply an eyepiece that inserts into the focuser of your telescope with the 1.25 inch adapter removed. Using a low power wide field eyepiece is one type of finding device. A RDF is another. An 9 X 50 magnified finder is another. A laser is another. A Rigel or Telrad yet another.

There is more than one way to tree a coon or in others words, a number of different options to help you find an object in the night sky.

You forgot the best one for a beginner and any astronomer really, setting circles. That’s my finder, then I go to the eyepiece and observe.

[KWB]

You forgot the best one for a beginner and any astronomer really, setting circles. That’s my finder, then I go to the eyepiece and observe.

I didn't forget it. I 've never used them in my life and having no experience using them, I have no comment.

[Chad7531]

I didn't forget it. I 've never used them in my life and having no experience with them, I have no comment.

Hmm. Any monkey including me can grab a scope with setting circles and use an app to reach the limits of that scope on hundreds of objects in the matter of a couple of moons. A standard finder, maybe 20 of the brightest. If you’re really dedicated and have some good books.

[KWB]

Hmm. Any monkey including me can grab a scope with setting circles and use an app to reach the limits of that scope on hundreds of objects in the matter of a couple of moons. A standard finder, maybe 20 of the brightest. If you’re really dedicated and have some good books.

How I choose to use my telescopes to find targets is up to me. Thanks for the advice but I'll continue in the manner I so choose which is using finder charts and star hopping. And that would be without setting circles or using a GOTO mount. That's how I enjoy using a telescope.

 

However you choose to find your targets works for me.

[Chad7531]

How I choose to use my telescopes to find targets is up to me. Thanks for the advice but I'll continue in the manner I so choose which is using finder charts and star hopping. And that would be without setting circles or using a GOTO mount. That's how I enjoy using a telescope.

However you choose to find your targets works for me.

I’m only making recommendations to a new astronomer, and making an opinion that differs from yours. I don’t care how you find your targets.

Edited by Chad7531, 18 January 2023 - 09:57 PM.

[KWB]

I’m only making recommendations to a new astronomer, and making an opinion that differs from yours. I don’t care how you find your targets.

Your recommendation to the original poster has been duly noted. I don't know that our opinions differ that much. Maybe what bothers you is I didn't suggest your method. That method is just another method to finding a celestial target. This thread isn't about you and I bickering about what is the best procedure. They all work. I suggest we move on.

[Chad7531]

Your recommendation to the original poster has been duly noted. I don't know that our opinions differ that much. Maybe what bothers you is I didn't suggest your method. That method is just another method to finding a celestial target. This thread isn't about you and I bickering about what is the best procedure. They all work. I suggest we move on.

Good suggestion. I merely offered an alternative, I wasn’t talking to you. Although I was saying my method is better. That is if your objective is to find things, if your objective is to search for things then yours is better.

Edited by Chad7531, 18 January 2023 - 10:49 PM.

[SteveG]

I didn't forget it. I 've never used them in my life and having no experience using them, I have no comment.

Nor have I, lol. Lasers, finders or Telrad via star hopping is my preference.

[SteveG]

Good suggestion. I merely offered an alternative, I wasn’t talking to you. Although I was saying my method is better. That is if your objective is to find things, if your objective is to search for things then yours is better.

Relax, we each make our recommendation.

[Charlotteda]

I definitely recommend a RACI finder https://astro.catshi...-finder-scopes/ To get your first alignment you may find you will need your simple finder so you may need both. As you can see on that link I use a Telrad. Either way you are not going to be spending long bending down, just a second or two. Elsewhere on the site there are other tips including a chair that you may find of use.

Spile,  Just not had time to look closely at your comment.  If the Raci means you don't have to bend down - why do you need the Telrad too?