New to Astronomy

[Adrianf]

Hi people I have just joined this group. I live in Roma Queensland. I have just bought(but not received) my first Telescope nothing too flash at the moment just a 114mm reflecting, this is to see what astronomy is all about :duh: . I have read about using webcams as a reasonably inexpensive way to photograph/record what is seen through the scope. Most articles I have read state the best camera is a Philips ToUcam webcam is there other types as good?:hmm:
In the last few weeks I have been experimenting with a FujiFilm digital camera to try to photograph objects with some success. I might if I get adventurous post them somewhere.

Adrian

[Radar]

G'day Adrian,

Welcome to the site :thumbsupmate:


I have just bought(but not received) my first Telescope nothing too flash at the moment just a 114mm reflecting, this is to see what astronomy is all about

This scope is a good starting point. You will still be able to see heaps of stuff through it.



:duh: . I have read about using webcams as a reasonably inexpensive way to photograph/record what is seen through the scope. Most articles I have read state the best camera is a Philips ToUcam webcam is there other types as good?:hmm:


There are quite a few options on the market these days. Others on these forums will be able to shed more light on this subject than I. From memory though, you'll need a webcam that can be modified to do long exposures. Also, your telescope would probably need some kind of motor drive if you want to shoot faint objects such as nebula. Though moon shots etc should be do-able.



In the last few weeks I have been experimenting with a FujiFilm digital camera to try to photograph objects with some success. I might if I get adventurous post them somewhere.
Adrian

No matter what level your photos are, always post them. This way others can give you there input and help you become an expert in no time. A photo can tell us what is going wrong and how to fix it, so posting you pics is the fastest way to get feedback.

Is your relfector a skywatcher?

Cheers

Ray

[Adrianf]

OK I really dont know the brand as it was bought has a birthday present by my kids. All I know is that it has an appeture of 114mm and its a reflector. Probably not a very expensive one but I will try to replace as soon as I can.


Adrian

[Radar]

Happy Birthday then mate. :thumbsupmate:

Any questions (where to look, what to buy for it, etc), just fire away.

Regards

Ray

[Adrianf]

OK guys hit me.
Where do I buy? What do I buy? What do I buy for it?
I would like to get into astrophotography and was considering using a webcam. I would like to look at the planets etc but really I dont have very deep pockets and it would have to be portable.
Any suggestions?

Adrian

[Radar]

Webcam imaging will require a laptop. If you want to shoot nebula with your astrophotography, you'll need a telescope that is on a mount that tracks the sky as it moves.

I'm not sure the best place to purchase webcam stuff, but there are a few other people on here that are guru's with webcams.

You'll probably also need some different types of eyepieces. What state are you in Adrian?

Ray

[Adrianf]

I am in Roma Queensland.:Chessy_Smile:

[seeker372011]

The first question to ask is whether your new scope has a drive? If not you are going to find astrophotography quite difficult.

Plus what is your interest-Moon and planets or deep space?

let us know and we can suggest some options

There are plenty of options-the ToUcam is one, the Meade DSI-now on special with Bintel-is another, the Meade LPI is yet another , the Celestron Neximage is a rebadged Phillips touCam but comes with software..you could use your digital camera for afocal imaging-ie just hold it up to the eyepiece and shoot a bunch of images, thow away the bad ones and keep the good ones

[seeker372011]

you can buy a ToUcam from

http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/

but I'd suggest you wait till you see what scope you have , whether it has a drive or not whether it is equitorialy mounted or not and so on before you rush out and buy an imaging camera

[rmcpb]

Adrian,

Can I give my standard reply, yes, but will you listen, I doubt it :Chessy_Smile:

Spend some time with your scope, a red torch and a planisphere. Learn the sky and what you like looking at. Learn to set up and use the mount correctly. Learn to collimate the scope properly. THEN, and only then, think about going onto astrophotography, its a VERY BIG jump apart from shooting the moon through the eyepiece with a digital camera.

Make haste slowly!!!!!!!!

Cheers

[Adrianf]

Well I took delivery of my telescope yesterday. Its a Dick Smith Reflecting$129 special. Well at least the kids thought they were doing the right thing. Showed them close ups of the moon they were in awe.
It has a lot of play in the tripod and the slightest touch moves it out of alignment and doesnt quite focus. Maybe if I fiddled with it I might get it to focus OK and be a bit more stable, I am a metal fabricator so maybe I can manufacture something.

Well there is always christmas!

I will look around at what is available over the next few weeks and maybe sneak in a purchase without upsetting the kids.

Adrian

[Radar]

G'day Adrian,

At least that will get your feet wet for the time being. Beleive it or not those scopes are great starting scopes. I started with one of these. The only way is up, but you'll learn heaps with it and appreciate the big ones once you make the leap.

Do you have a planisphere yet?

Ray

[AstroBob]

I am still in this boat as well. Can't wait to move up :duh:

[Adrianf]

No I do not have a Planisphere yet. I have already put a hint out that I would like a bigger and better scope for Christmas left a few magazines about with circles around what I want, if not I might play Santa to myself :hmm: .

Took some digital pix of the moon the other night putting the camera to the eye piece they didnt turn out too well but better than I expected.


Adrian

[rmcpb]

Adrian,

Afocal shots of the moon are really fun. It just takes practice.

Cheers

[Radar]

No I do not have a Planisphere yet. I have already put a hint out that I would like a bigger and better scope for Christmas left a few magazines about with circles around what I want, if not I might play Santa to myself :hmm: .

Took some digital pix of the moon the other night putting the camera to the eye piece they didnt turn out too well but better than I expected.


Adrian

Be sure to post your pics mate. Use the paper clip button when wanting to post pics. :thumbsupmate:

[Adrianf]

I think I have major problems with this Scope of mine. I can understand that the images are upside down but the images in my scope are at a 45 degree angle in the eyepiece!! Anybody know how to fix this or is it even possible to fix? Is the mirror out of alignment? If so how can I fix?
Also when I try to view a bright star all I get in the eyepiece is a bright line rather that a bright dot. I can see the moon and its craters OK but as of yet I havent been able to find anything else interesting, this is more likely caused by inexperience on my part.

Adrian

[Radar]

Hi Adrian,

Sounds like your mirror is not aligned properly. Things like the moon might appear okay, but stars won't focus to pin points.

Are there adjustments for the secondary (smaller) mirror?

Ray

[rmcpb]

Adrian,

Have a look at this site (http://www.andysshotglass.com/Collimating.html) for info on collimation. Its VERY Flash intensive and the pages are large (about 3.5MB) but they are worth it if you have a broadband connection.

Sounds like your scope is out of collimation (mirrors not aligned). If this page is too big then there are other instructions we can get into.

Cheers

[Adrianf]

Thanks for the link after watching the movie and checking the scope the collimation is a long way off. I will have a look at adjusting it AFTER I watch the movie again on the weekend.

Adrian

[rmcpb]

Yep, its the best site for collimation. While you are there have a cruise around that site, its a beauty.

Cheers

[Adrianf]

Thanks for the link I have just watched the movie for the last hour or so. I made myself a collimating lense from the 4mm eyepiece (didnt like it) and got collimated the best I can and it did improve the optics but I still can not get the image to look straight in the eyepiece its still at 45 degrees. I think the only way to get that right is to rotate the spider that holds the secondary mirror in place but the only adjustment is length ways not rotate. I can put up with this until I can afford a better scope.

Adrian

[rmcpb]

Forget getting the image "square" it all depends on the orientation of the moon at the time and it changes nightly as the moon travels across the sky in a circle around the ecliptic.

Just look at the image presented and appreciate it for what it is BUT get it sharp!!

[Radar]

I still can not get the image to look straight in the eyepiece its still at 45 degrees.

Yeah I think this is just the optics of the telescope. I don't think this is a collimation issue.

Have you spied Jupiter yet?

Ray

[Adrianf]

No not yet. We have had a visitor for the last 5 days and havent had a chance to use the scope much but he has gone now so I might get a chance tonight. Where in the sky should I be looking (pardon the dumb question)

Adrian

[AstroBob]

collimating a scope can be very frustrating, thank god most problems in astronomy are not like that.

B

[wakaleo]

Gidday Adrian and welcome to the site.

If you look directly overhead just after the sun has set and stars are beginning to show, Jupiter will be one of the first bright objects you see. It will be a little to the west of overhead near the constellation Scorpio. It will be one of the brightest objects in this part of the sky.

Have fun!

Jim

[Adrianf]

OK thanks for that. I have found Jupiter but I am having problems seeing anything other that a bright disk about 1-2mm in diameter. Do I need filters to filter the light out? Can you recommend anything?

Adrian

[Radar]

Hi Adrian,

Interesting that it's too bright. Couple of suggestions though. You can cut out a piece of card that covers the front of the scope. Then using a sharp knife cut a round hole into the cardbaord (make sure the hole is smaller than the telescopes main opening. This reduces the amount of light coming in. Start off by cutting a small hole and slowly get larger. Many lens caps that come with telescopes usually have a built in smaller hole so you can just pop it off for less light.

The other thing you may be experiencing is bad seeing (turbulant atmosphere).

Also using a barlow lens will decrease the brightness.

Keep us posted on how things go.

Ray