11 replies to this topic

[MrNeil]

Hi all,

 

I’m a complete newbie not just with astrophotography but also with telescopes and Cloudy Nights so this is my first on many fronts. Apologies if this should be in the Celestron forum instead. My father left me his scope a good few years back, its been in a cupboard since and I finally got it out last month and been playing with it since, the scope is the Celestron Nexstar 6SE and the power tank was no longer functioning so I bought the newer Celestron PowerTank Lithium and it works well, there is a full range of eyepieces including zooms and filters, the LED finder-scope must have been replaced many years ago as it now has crosshair sights and from what I have read I’m quite happy about that.

 

I had some issues to start with as I couldn’t get the alignments set up, many people advised the two star set up but this kept failing so I opted for the newbie option of Skyalign as I don’t yet know the stars names and places and this has worked every time, the scope tracks well and tested for the collimation, a defocussed star created the perfect symmetrical doughnut so I have been viewing Jupiter, Mars and the Moon with the goto functionality which works really well, I have really enjoyed this experience even though I cant compare to anything else.

 

So I have now decided I’d like to take pictures of the night sky and bought a cheap camera to start and find my feet, this was the SVBONY SV205 and I know the experienced will rip me to pieces but my first photo I’ve ever taken is attached and has given me the bug for more, I downloaded FireCapture but this software does not recognise the SV205, so I installed SharpCap 4.1, reading on this topic I found people also use AutoStakkert and Registax so I installed these also, the photo is the result of running through all 3 software. Id like to do more with the Moon, although there is no way I can get the whole Moon in my scope with the camera, I believe this is down to the chip size, however people say the way around this is to Mosaic and stitch together, I downloaded Autostitch although I have no idea if this is the software of choice for many, the Mosaic functionally I can see in SharpCap but at present unaware of how it is used and if it works with an A-Z mount, it is also only available with the Pro Licence, does anyone have experience of this or know of any other software? When I have some experience of planetary imaging id like to go deeper into Deep Sky, I’m aware this is another world, to do this I should really have the 6.3 Reducer and a wedge but I know that is further down the road. If you feel my journey should be different or have any advise so I retain the excitement of astrophotography  then please shout out, I’m a complete newbie so very open to opinions or changing my ways and preventing bad habits, and I’d like to get the most out of this scope before I really have to buy the bigger more expensive kit.

 

Neil

 

[CandiStarlight]

Hello Neil!

Well if that image is anything to go by you have really hit the ground running! Very nice.

For working out fields of view of various scope / sensor / reducer combinations this is very useful:- https://astronomy.to.../field_of_view/

I won't try and comment on the 6SE as I'm a refractor girl lol. But it's fantastic that you've given it a new lease of life instead of it languishing in a cupboard! From what I've seen on the forums here, the 6SE is viewed as a very capable instrument. For DeepSky though, down the line you might find a new refractor makes sense rather than trying to adjust the 6SE, and keep that for planetary/lunar as you are doing.

Candi

[Avgvstvs]

As Candi said you have a great beginners setup. Perhaps consider a camera with a larger sensor to get more of the Moon into the field of view. You may have an old DSLR laying around but there are plenty of economy secondhand options on Ebay. I can recommend Deep Sky Stacker as great free stacking software for DSO's. Don't get overwhelmed and learn to use what you have. It's easy to get 'equipmentitis' with so much nice gear around. One thing that would help is joining a local astronomy club as you get to try others gear before you buy, as well as making some good astro-friends.

 

Welcome & clear skies.

[MrNeil]

Thank you so much to you both for taking time to reply, your comments are a boost and very welcome, Ive made a note of your recomendations and will definately look for my local club as you suggested. If I end up down the line with photos as nice as yours Candi I will feel very satisfied, Id imagine a lot of patients was involved getting them. Id also imagine and correct me if im wrong that planetry viewing will be a very quiet time soon with most planets now very low in the sky and looks like it will continue until late Autumn, is this correct? which would mean most Astrophotgraphy would be more aligned to DSO and lunar/solar shots. Plenty of time to practice with the scope and software before then, I did see Mars last night but even with my x2 Barlow it was so small on my screen it was rediculously difficult to keep in position for the camera even with the tracking of the scope, I certainly have a new found appreciation for all images above the sky line.

[larrytOMC200]

Hello Niel,

                 That is a nice image you have there. You will find that the moon will give you amazing vistas to capture. Keep on with your imaging, trial and error can teach you much, though the people on this forum will, I have no doubt, give you sound advice and encouragement. I have never lost my enjoyment at looking at and imaging our moon. Keep well and clear skies. Larry

[mgCatskills]

Congrats on the acquisition.  It's a very nice kit you've got, well suited to a beginner.

 

+1 on AVG's advice re: a larger sensor.  You'll find that your issues will be to increase the field of view...  Big sensors are expensive however, so you'll probably want to pick up Celestron's 0.63 reducer first... they are frequently available in the used market.  Ultimately, you'll use both together for a range of objects, not just lunar.

 

I'm a very experienced DSO observer, and recently decided to seek the Astronomical League's Master Imager Certificate.  A requirement is to complete the Lunar Observing Program....  Previously, I'd taken maybe 3 lunar images.  I found I absolutely adored the program.  It's a great introduction to lunar observing, especially if you complete the tasks they set out and ask yourself, "Why have they included this?"

[MrNeil]

Thanks very much for the comments and advice mgCatskills, av, Candi and Larry, you echo much advise I have read in posts and with that you have convinced me, Im going to focus on Lunar imaging to begin with as you point out there are many points of interest and the Moon is a subject that is maybe available more than most.

 

I have ordered the Celestron 6.3 Reducer, a Canon 600D with an Astrophotography upgrade (Astronomy Tools confirms FOV thank you Candi), Remote trigger and T-Ring, I already have the adaptor, together with the SV205 I should be able to play and test out whole and close range Lunar shots. I also see the Canon used in some DSO and planetry imaging, ideal to learn and take the 6SE a little further as suggested by mgCatskills.

 

Can anyone suggest a reliable source for Lunar points of interest that I can also learn about the Moon from, it would be very nice to have this level of information so that I can learn imaging, POI and the knowledge of what im taking images of and reference. I will certainly be looking up the Lunar Observing Program (above).

 

Neil

[12BH7]

That is an incredible first image. My first image looked like it was taken from inside of my pants pocket. I'm looking forward to seeing how you polish your imaging skills. 

 

Also check out the Lunar 100 list for target suggestions. https://www.cloudyni...-map-lunar-100/

[MrNeil]

Thank you 12BH7, thats how I would have described my image before I processed it , thank god for modern software!, thats a great link and many thanks for sharing that as its really handy on my desktop. 

[mikemarotta]

Nice snapshot of the Moon. Congratulations on your successful launch of your new hobby.

 

Mike M.

[cnbilbo]

Cracking moon shot, well done, Say thanks to dad.
There's plenty you can do with the C6 even on the SE Mount, It's a very usable scope 24hrs a day.
The 6.3 is reducer is essential, A solar filter is a very wise buy. You really need a dedicated astro cam, The 585 is perfect for the job. DSLR's will work but take a lot of messing around
Buy the pro licence for sharpcap, Its a great piece of software. ASI studio is another very useful package but only supports ZWO cams and DSLR's.
Wedges are crap with single arm fork mounts, especially on flimsy tripods, a total waste of money, time & effort. There are lots of reasonably priced EQ mount solutions for long exposures when the time is right.
A motor focuser is great addition to any SCT, Avoid the Celestron one. The ZWO EAF is great especially with the additional handset. It does need a slight mod (20 secs with a hacksaw)
If you need any help drop me a msg here or bilbo on SGL

Simple stargazing straight from the screen. M13 12 x 5 Sec's 585MC C6 AZ Reducer

Edited by cnbilbo, 15 May 2025 - 06:38 AM.

[MrNeil]

Please excuse my ignorance Steve, I meant to reply before now. Thanks so much for the advise! I now have filters and Reducer, I do agree about the dedicated cam but at the moment I feel what I have is enough to learn and it would be much better to acquire once Im the proud owner of an EQ mount and have half an idea what to do with it , I have made a note of the 585 and would like to do it justice when I move on, your not the first Ive heard to award wedges nil points so I will steer well clear and focus on what I have until Im ready to graduate.