8 replies to this topic

[Biggusdoggus]

Hi,

 

My wife is an (avid) beginner, and bought a Saxon 1149EQ reflector a year or so ago. https://www.saxon.co...scope.html.html

She really enjoys using it - but TBH I think she's a bit disappointed with what she can see with it.

Mars, for example, is just a bigger blob, and while Saturn is admittedly a great sight, it's still like a little cartoon version - almost an emoji!

Not really in line with the description on the store website "a good introductory scope for lunar, planetary and bright nebulae viewing".

 

I think she was hoping to see nebulae, close ups of Saturn, that kind of thing.

 

My question is please - is this a decent upgrade? It is absolutely right at the top of our budget: https://telescopes.n...onian-telescope

 

Many thanks for any advice!

[ShaulaB]

It is important to know that the eyepiece view of an object is in no way similar to a photograph. People have seen so many Hubble and Webb pictures and are disappointed when what they view in their eyepieces does not match.

 

Mars goes through a cycle of when it is closest in its orbit to Earth. The next close approach will be in January of 2025! Right now, Mars is much farther away in its orbit. So an orange blob is all anyone will get. Just be patient and wait.

 

Her current scope is not able to magnify Saturn as much as a larger scope. More detail can be seen with a larger aperture (width of the main glass part).

 

Another law of optics states that the larger the aperture, the more photons of light will reach the eye. More photons mean you get a brighter image. Dim galaxies and nebulas that are barely detectable with your current scope will be much brighter and easier to see with more aperture.

 

Have you considered an 8 inch Dob? Lots of people have 8 inch reflectors as lifetime telescopes. An 8 inch will fit into almost any vehicle for trips to darker skies.

[mrowlands]

Noting what ShaulaB said about expectations, the 10 inch dob you linked to will be a large upgrade in every way from the 4.5 inch newt.  Not only will the views be better, the scope will be much more stable.

 

Mike R.

[Biggusdoggus]

It is important to know that the eyepiece view of an object is in no way similar to a photograph. People have seen so many Hubble and Webb pictures and are disappointed when what they view in their eyepieces does not match.

 

Mars goes through a cycle of when it is closest in its orbit to Earth. The next close approach will be in January of 2025! Right now, Mars is much farther away in its orbit. So an orange blob is all anyone will get. Just be patient and wait.

 

Her current scope is not able to magnify Saturn as much as a larger scope. More detail can be seen with a larger aperture (width of the main glass part).

 

Another law of optics states that the larger the aperture, the more photons of light will reach the eye. More photons mean you get a brighter image. Dim galaxies and nebulas that are barely detectable with your current scope will be much brighter and easier to see with more aperture.

 

Have you considered an 8 inch Dob? Lots of people have 8 inch reflectors as lifetime telescopes. An 8 inch will fit into almost any vehicle for trips to darker skies.

 

 

Thanks ShaulaB.

Can I assume from what you're saying that you think a 10" could be a bit of an overkill at this point?
An 8" is $300 (NZ) less: https://telescopes.n...onian-telescope

Edited by Biggusdoggus, 14 September 2023 - 08:23 PM.

[Biggusdoggus]

Noting what ShaulaB said about expectations, the 10 inch dob you linked to will be a large upgrade in every way from the 4.5 inch newt.  Not only will the views be better, the scope will be much more stable.

 

Mike R.

That's a good point about stability, Mike - the current scope is very shaky...

[ShaulaB]

No, a 10 inch is not overkill. Bigger aperture is always better. My point is, an 8 inch can satisfy your needs for now, and probably for the next few years, while saving some money.

[Biggusdoggus]

No, a 10 inch is not overkill. Bigger aperture is always better. My point is, an 8 inch can satisfy your needs for now, and probably for the next few years, while saving some money.

Awesome - thank you for the advice.

[dmgriff]

Hi,

 

My wife is an (avid) beginner, and bought a Saxon 1149EQ reflector a year or so ago. https://www.saxon.co...scope.html.html

She really enjoys using it - but TBH I think she's a bit disappointed with what she can see with it.

Mars, for example, is just a bigger blob, and while Saturn is admittedly a great sight, it's still like a little cartoon version - almost an emoji!

Not really in line with the description on the store website "a good introductory scope for lunar, planetary and bright nebulae viewing".

 

I think she was hoping to see nebulae, close ups of Saturn, that kind of thing.

 

My question is please - is this a decent upgrade? It is absolutely right at the top of our budget: https://telescopes.n...onian-telescope

 

Many thanks for any advice!

I did exactly the same....went from a 114/900 newtonian on a eq1 to a 250/1250 dob.

 

Definitely a upgrade and not overkill. Lunar is akin to a fly over....

 

You will not be disappointed in my experience.

 

Good viewing,

 

Dave

[gpaunescu]

You have to consider the size of telescope. The one  you have I guess, is easy to take out and start observing.

The 10", is bigger, have to consider that you store in one place and the observing field is in another place; so that means you have to transport it.

If you cannot go to store to see it physically, how big it is, at least take the dimension and try to check if are suitable for you.

 

I'm agree, that bigger aperture is better, but also consider that the bigger aperture can remain unused, because of size and weight.

 

Also, another aspect: larger aperture, are need acclimatization of the mirror, specially if the difference between storage place and observing place temperatures is big.

For 10" acclimatization period could arrive to 1-2 hour. For 8" is shorter.

 

 

If you buy 8", with rest of money, may consider better eyepiece (flat field eyepieces, larger AFOV).