10 replies to this topic

[Universe XY]

Gift from the powers that be on this wonderful forum.

 

Second night trying to set it up & wow, tonight was thrilling.

 

The power of a 80mm 900mm f11 was stunning! 

 

Had it up to 150X with a 6mm & WOW!

 

I'm getting pulled in deeper!

 

Took a photo through the 6mm with a cell phone & caught my first image!

 

Yeah!!!!! So happy!!!!

 

Thanks & you know whom you are...   

 

[rob1986]

Its a good OTA

Edited by rob1986, 09 April 2025 - 01:04 AM.

[vrodriguez2324]

Nice scope and nice picture! Thank you for sharing. 

 

I started off with its little brother, the Celestron Powerseeker 70EQ (70mm 700mm focal length f/10). My wife found it in the local marketplace for $20. Later I bought an Orion Astroview (90mm 910mm f/10.1). 

 

While I have since purchased telescopes with better but still modest ED glass, I still vividly remember the joy and wonderment I experienced with these two capable achromatic refractors. They showed me a lot. The Moon is just the tip of the iceberg. Swing over to Jupiter when you get a chance. The Orion Nebula is still above the horizon in the early evening/nighttime. You are in for a lot more WOW moments. Have you split your first double star? The heads of Gemini, Castor and Pollux, are high in the sky right now. Check out Castor at low then high magnification. Seeing what looks to be single point of light split into two with a piece of velvety dark sky in between is always enjoyable and satisfying especially the first time you do it. If the seeing isn't good one night, try again the next night. You certainly have a better mount than I had at first. 

 

Warmly,

 

Victor

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Edited by vrodriguez2324, 09 April 2025 - 01:16 AM.

[John R.]

There is a very long thread about what to expect from an achromat. Your photo answers that question very nicely.  

[Universe XY]

There is a very long thread about what to expect from an achromat. Your photo answers that question very nicely.  

I wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. 

[Jon Isaacs]

Christine:

 

That's a nice photo. Surprisingly sharp. I've owned a number of 80 mm x 900 mm refractors.  I5 years ago, they were very common on Craigslist but I rarely see them anymore.

 

Pleasantly surprised is a good description. With a chromatic ratio of 3.6, the chromatic aberration, though visible, is well controlled and unlike the classic 80 mm x 1200 mm's, they're still manageable..  I consider them to be the sweet spot between an ST-80 and those old classics.

 

Keep up the good work.  

 

Jon

[Universe XY]

 

Nice scope and nice picture! Thank you for sharing. 

 

I started off with its little brother, the Celestron Powerseeker 70EQ (70mm 700mm focal length f/10). My wife found it in the local marketplace for $20. Later I bought an Orion Astroview (90mm 910mm f/10.1). 

 

While I have since purchased telescopes with better but still modest ED glass, I still vividly remember the joy and wonderment I experienced with these two capable achromatic refractors. They showed me a lot. The Moon is just the tip of the iceberg. Swing over to Jupiter when you get a chance. The Orion Nebula is still above the horizon in the early evening/nighttime. You are in for a lot more WOW moments. Have you split your first double star? The heads of Gemini, Castor and Pollux, are high in the sky right now. Check out Castor at low then high magnification. Seeing what looks to be single point of light split into two with a piece of velvety dark sky in between is always enjoyable and satisfying especially the first time you do it. If the seeing isn't good one night, try again the next night. You certainly have a better mount than I had at first. 

 

Warmly,

 

Victor

 

Orion is what I really want to see. My horizon is blocked by trees & houses. 

 

Thanks for the tips. I basically have the darkest sky in the south. Other views have many building lights.

[Universe XY]

Christine:

 

That's a nice photo. Surprisingly sharp. I've owned a number of 80 mm x 900 mm refractors.  I5 years ago, they were very common on Craigslist but I rarely see them anymore.

 

Pleasantly surprised is a good description. With a chromatic ratio of 3.6, the chromatic aberration, though visible, is well controlled and unlike the classic 80 mm x 1200 mm's, they're still manageable..  I consider them to be the sweet spot between an ST-80 and those old classics.

 

Keep up the good work.  

 

Jon

Thanks Jon,

 

It's longer at 900 mm so a bit more of a bear to carry but I can do it.

 

It's actually a very capable scope on the moon. Never been as wowed by the moon before.

 

I liked that 150X & maybe it was a magical night.

 

Wasn't cold & I just put the phone up to the eyepiece & just kept taking photos. A few came out.

 

Surprised me & my first memory of what I saw that brings back the emotion.

[kmparsons]

There is a very long thread about what to expect from an achromat. Your photo answers that question very nicely.  

And answers it much more succinctly and with much less acrimony!

 

There is a special pleasure in getting a thrilling view from a modest instrument. My Stellarvue 80 9/D ($349  new) still wows me with its pinpoint stars and flat field. 

[Universe XY]

And answers it much more succinctly and with much less acrimony!

 

There is a special pleasure in getting a thrilling view from a modest instrument. My Stellarvue 80 9/D ($349  new) still wows me with its pinpoint stars and flat field. 

I'm not spoiled yet but I look forward to more exciting views.

 

Had it out again under the moon & compared to a 80X 480mm

Both are enjoyable but that modest scope puts out a very clear view. Sure there is a some color but at f11 nothing to detract from the joy.

 

That's not a bad price for a Stellarvue. 

[kmparsons]

I'm not spoiled yet but I look forward to more exciting views.

 

Had it out again under the moon & compared to a 80X 480mm

Both are enjoyable but that modest scope puts out a very clear view. Sure there is a some color but at f11 nothing to detract from the joy.

 

That's not a bad price for a Stellarvue. 

"Joy" is the word. That is why we do this, and any instrument that can give you joy is to be valued. 

 

In the twenty-odd years since I purchased my 80 9/D, SV has moved on to grander things. I have one of their boutique telescopes, the SVX102D, and it is terrific. However, the 80 9/D is the perfect beginner telescope--inexpensive for a beginner's budget but with views to satisfy for a lifetime. Inflation would now make the price over $500, but that would still be a bargain.