Thinking of maybe getting into astronomy.

[Chako]

i have been thinking about possibly buying an astronomy telescope, but not sure what I should get if I should even get something. A bit of back history...

I started to get very interested in star gazing back in 1984 with mention of Hailey's Comet arriving in 1985. I was getting my father to buy me every astronomy magazine I could get my hands on. I was still in elementary school, and my parents were enthused that I was showing interest. They even bought me a very cheap telescope. Man did I love that thing. I would spend some nights trying to look at the stars. Hailey's comet rolled on and I attemtped to see it...but couldn't. The cheap telescope couldn't even hold steady, let alone it had a small apperature and the optics did't cut it. I was very dissapointed that I missed out on it. Consequently, that telescops founds its way into a storage room and eventually got tossed out at a later date. I also threw away all of my magazines and aspirations of astronomy.

I am on my summer holidays and am thinking it might be cool to get back into the hobby once again (the local pawn shop has a 114mm telescope minus the aiming scope for 150 dollars on a tripod...this is what kickstarted this thought)...staying well clear of those bargain basement pieces of trash. In short, I am thinking of getting something a bit more upscale. I have read about the 3 different types of telescopes, and also the different types of mounts. After all of my reading, I am thinking a 150mm Neutonian take down telescope such as the Sky-Watcher Heritage 150p might do the trick. The price seems ok, and it is portable and easy to transport. What I don't like is the need to make a shroud around the braces, and the fact that you need a very solid table or plastic bin  to put the telescope on. I am still doing my research.

So the reason why I would like to maybe get into this is for astrophotography. Any ideas, experiences, etc with telescopes?

[WhichDawg]

Ohh my multi tool friend have I got some info for you! The wife and I have gotten into astrophotography the last 2 years and have we learned a ton (and bought a ton but I know that's not a problem for you sir lol).

First question: What kind of astrophotography are you targeting/wanting to get into? Nebula, deep space (galaxies), the planets, solar/sun, time lapse or Milky Way? Because each one of those things require specialized equipment and software.

We are mostly into nebula and deep space and have several scopes for it. I will post some of our pictures and you ask anything you want buddy I and the wife will try to answer the best we can.

Our pictures:

The wife likes Nebula so:

IC1396 - The Elephant Trunk


NGC 2174 - Monkey Head


And I like galaxies:

M101 - Pinwheel Galaxy (with supernova)


M63 - Sunflower Galaxy


M81 & M82 - Bode's Galaxy and Cigar Galaxy

[Chako]

Not sure exactly. I do not want to spend a lot on something I am not sure I even want to get into. I frankly know very little to be honest. I assumed a 150mm newtonian might be a good starting point for a beginner. I still harbour bad feelings from my experiences with the hobby as a child. I do have a ton of DSLRs but not sure if a simple scope mount would do, or a dedicated but lower resolution camera designed for the purpose will work. I have been doing some readings and have made the mistake of falling into a few forums where everyone has an opinion which seems to contradict their fellow forum members lol. Frankly still thinking of that cheap 150 dollar used 114mm netonian might be the ticket into this . I didn't go for it because i know little, it was missing the aiming scope/red dot, and not sure if the reflective surfaces are in any clean and useable condition. Thinking I have a few red dot sights not being used in my gun room. Maybe one of those might work. Lots of questions and no answers at the moment.

Even looking into go to mounts and apps like starsense that run off a cellphone. I am thinking I might need some assistance to find celestial things. I recall with my previous experience that I looked up and could not find a single thing. That cheap scope did more harm than good.

Nice photos by the way. 

[Chako]

I am taking a real hard look at the Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 150P Telescope - S21205. It has go to functionality but also you can go fully manual mode. From what I have read, go to is great but is a battery drain, and when it does not work, you are stuck with a dead telescope. This solution seem ideal to me. Still doing research. I can find it for 530 Canadian which is in my price range. I think am sort of gravitating towards compact easy to store solutions with dobsonian mounts for ease of use. I am thinking that both the Heritage 150P and Virtuoso 150P can be stored in a very sturdy plastic tote, taken outside, flip the sturdy tote upsidedown and use it as the base for the telescope. That is my initial thinking anyhow. The issue with both of these is the construction of a shroud as both are sliding strut devices...so creating a light shroud around the open spaces appears to be something most folks do. Another hesitation on my part is the helical focusing adjustment. A lot of folks are using plumbers tape to eliminate the wiggle. This is super easy to do...but not sure if that might be an issue if I plan on doing some photography with it.

[WhichDawg]

The suggestions you’re thinking of will be fine for optical/visual viewing but not the best for astrophotography. Videos to watch on YouTube that could give you help are from “Cuiv The Lazy Geek” and “Ed Ting” and “Galactic Hunter”

Also consider a good computer controlled equatorial mount that doesn’t need to cater to big loads (and adapters for your camera) and a high quality astrophotography compatible 300 mm lens and some simple stacking software to combine long exposures. This may be the easiest option for you because of your existing equipment and experience so you wouldn’t have to buy and learn as many new things. You could also consider getting something like a RedCat 51 (instead of a 300 mm lens) which can attach directly to your DSLR (though you still need a good equatorial mount). We don’t have any experience ourselves doing astrophotography with a DSLR, but we might have gone this way if we’d already had a good DSLR.

[Chako]

Guess I did enough research and bought a Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTI 150P telescope. Here is a review of the 130 version.

[Chako]

Baby steps first I am thinking. Get a scope with some form of go to features to just view outside. I will try to buy something to use with it for simple photo taking. If I generate enough interest I may start to look at other options possibly with DSLR equipment. I do have a 50-500mm Sigma lens of f6.3 max that i could try to get some moon shots with later on. I am having fun reading up on this though, which is what I really enjoy, the research aspect of it all.

From what I have read this is basically an f5 which is fast. I could spend a lot more on an f4 and go all out on tracking tripods, etc. I am just putting out baby feelers at the moment. As is, with shipping, the above telescope will cost me 640 Canadian with 2 day shipping...which was the only option Canada Telescopes gave me for shipping. Tons of 2 day shipping carriers though. I chose Canada Post. It was 2 dollars more than the cheapest carrier. I trust Canada Post.

[WhichDawg]

Great! I can’t wait to see your results   

we actually ordered that last year but because it was taking so long to restock we canceled and got something else

[WhichDawg]

This is what we got instead

Celestron Edge HD 9.25 Schmidt-Cassegrain monster!

[Chako]

I certainly value your knowlege and expertise.

That thing is huge. I know aperture is everything, but I also value portability. I don't have much room for storage in my house, and I like the idea that I can take it out somewhere out of my city at a later date.

[Chako]

It is a good thing I am sitting down. I priced your telescope out of curiosity. 

That is way out of my budget. 

[WhichDawg]

We got it on sale! but we learned it’s the add ons and peripherals that really bring up the cost. Dedicated cameras and filters and controllers and mounts and more you’ll see! lol

I also recommend a good power station without you will have to run an extension cord to your house which is a trip hazard and annoying.

I luv the one we got:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099YTV51Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
works all night and is LiFePO4 (lasts longer than regular lithium) and it's relatively light for what it is, a BRICK OF POWER!

[Chako]

I have not looked at battery banks yet. I will keep that unit in mind.

[Chako]

Should be getting the scope tomorrow. Can't wait.

First step once I get it is to figure out a portable but very sturdy base to put the scope on. Something that can act as a storage like a plastic storage bin might be ideal. I will have to see the scope in person and play around with it before I  take a look locally. If I can source it, my thought is to store everything related to this hobby in it to keep everything nice and tiddy. Not sure if this will be feasable. Baby steps first.

Second step is to assess how long 8 AA batteries will last in the base. I hear using rechargeables are not a good idea. Might have to get a power bank for it...just not sure what I will need in that department. If I go this route, I will want something portable.

Third step, plan on getting assesories, but only those I will need. My plan is to use what comes with it first, do a lot more research, and figure out what I will need. I do not want to buy stuff that I do not need. I have Photography that takes up that place lol.

I hear you can piggy back something like Star Safari for Android on a tablet or cell phone. I have a tablet that I can use strickly for this. I wonder if there are any 1.25" eyepiece cameras that will hook up  via Android. I think that could be cool to be able to take photos and view the image on the tablet.

[WhichDawg]

Fun Fun 4 U! Question how are your skies? Bortle as they call it

[Chako]

Very mixed. Lots of clouds but also lots of clear skies.

[WhichDawg]

Very mixed. Lots of clouds but also lots of clear skies.

sorry I meant lights, street lights, neighborhood lights, town/city lights etc.
Look up “Bortle Dark Sky Scale” and you’ll have an idea 

[Chako]

Ah I see. I am probably off that chart. My house is right next to one of Canada's biggest steel plants. There is a huge flame south of me that lights up the whole west end of the city. So much so that one does not need flashlights to see around. One of the reasons why I wanted something portable down the road.

Here is a photo I took looking towards the steel plant in June. Note that the largish yellow flame is off to the right hidden by some trees even though you can see the light it pumps out. There is also a blue flame seen here depending on what they are doing, These stacks are a good distance away but do provide enough light to affect astronomy, at least at my home. I do have some off site places I can go to and probably wiill try that at a later date.

20240628_002042 by Chako, on Flickr

In case you are wondering, I was trying out a super powerful flashlight that I bought off of Temu as a lark. The flashligh is no joke. I was able to spot the light on that distant stack in spot mode.

[Chako]

Just sitting here waiting for the delivery. Can't wait to get it. I went back to the Pawn Shop and to take a closer look at what started me on this journey, a used Celestron 114 for 150 dollars and am very happy I didn't buy it. I only noticed the broken clip around the scope. The metal band broke, telling me it was probably dropped at some point. I almost bought it at first, but decided to do some research first.

[Chako]

It just arrived I was worried as there was a big freaking hole in the cardboard box. Way to go! I opened the box to find out it was double boxed. The inner box showed some damage, but when I opened that one, nothing penetrated that box. I have a photo with a red circle showing just slight signs of damage from the exterior. The scope had enough foam and the box was so large that it appeared safe inside.
Still not happy that the "Fragile" marked box appeared to be bashed along its 2 day trip to me.

First box.
20240821_104341A by Chako, on Flickr

Inside the first box was the receipt and a nice sticker.
20240821_104441A by Chako, on Flickr

I was not happy seeing this.
20240821_104702A by Chako, on Flickr

The inside box showing damage.
20240821_104730A by Chako, on Flickr


The inside box. The damage area is on the right hand side. The front is shown.
20240821_104814A by Chako, on Flickr

Opening the inside box, I was happy to see that something would have to penetrate a lot to get to the scope,
20240821_104900A by Chako, on Flickr

I looked inside to see and I can say I was a bit happy that the scope appeared intact. Here is the damaged area as seen from inside the second box,
20240821_104907A by Chako, on Flickr

After removing the protective plastic bag and various foam inserts, the scope in its closed position,
20240821_105712A by Chako, on Flickr

Included inside the accessory box are a super 10mm eyepiece, super 25mm eyepiece, a red dot sight, and a columating cap.
20240821_110128A by Chako, on Flickr

Here is that columating cap. I guess I may need to buy a columating laser to adjust the mirrors.
20240821_110148A by Chako, on Flickr

The included red dot sight is a bit cheap, but then I come from those made for firearms. Those tend to be built a little tougher to resist recoil. If this work, who am I to complain.
20240821_110216A by Chako, on Flickr

The back of the secondary box.
20240821_110828A by Chako, on Flickr

20240821_110842A by Chako, on Flickr

Now here I thought I was getting a different model from the Heritage 150P, but it is the same scope with the Virtuoso GTI mount. That makes sense. This is all run via your smart phone. I hear folks complain that it is hard to look in the scope and puch non button touch screens. They do offer a handset but that comes extra.
20240821_111018A by Chako, on Flickr

20240821_111410A by Chako, on Flickr

The Go To mount takes either 8 AA cells or a 12V battery bank. Freedom find is a great idea. Unlock both X and Y Axis clutches and you can manually use the scope. Not dependent on batteries all the time to move the scope.
20240821_111044A by Chako, on Flickr

Now I am going to read the manuals later before I put batteries into it.

I did a little run around town to look at options for a solid base. I was originally thinking about a plastic tote, or a wooden crate. I didn't like either options. The wooden crates I saw were rough and the bottom slates had a bit of movement due to their lack of thickness. The heavy duty plastic totes I found had neithe smooth bottoms or tops. I did look online and found some stainless steel food prep tables of a small enough size with adjustable legs to even the table out. That might do the trick.

[WhichDawg]

Oh yeah I remember looking for a base for that too! We looked at portable aluminum camping tables because they were sturdy and flat and inexpensive and portable! some even have adjustable legs

[Chako]

Right now it is on one of my folding TV tables. The weight does a not bad job of steadying it, and TV tray tables aren't all that steady to begin with.

This is what I am looking at.

https://www.amazon.ca/VEVOR-34-Inch-Commercial-Adjustable/dp/B0CMZQ9XQV/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=166ZWVR7CDWP3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vVaBuFe5wX56K8NqCR0eXfGe5X4F3xue-JUwMyFJxiGNgiNom_k7qA5G1F_vJL0fuHgT9qdkNqzS2xGcW-c6LwLVvnYYTxlvBiE7VIFCSEQD8TFzMhxI8M8wE5GX-YfW0aupHBwmSPpc5rV8-a2NK9xuC8nwUPwLNKO2bEXQrXjvRG481kh8BMCGvyHz146HBZZXi1b4s3iVBO_muD3X_r8NkUh44U_0NUe6mS-mQ3ut95A0w_CMeqRHoSo0_s5ggg_-ustxEaDs_aL1edgbxK6WSz24ACc6Pz_vH6i6apo.qc89T88bv-Bxgfa0x2rnj6alKf5zvBrjwPUK53PCh4Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=heavy+duty+prep+table&qid=1724268518&sprefix=heavy+duty+prep+table%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[Chako]

Why did I not think of that? 

 I just ordered what you just stated. It folds up for easy carry, has 4 table heights, will hold up to 60 pounds. Can adjust each foot to level it off. Much better idea than that heavy food prep table I listed earlier.

This is what I ordered.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0C2YT1DJB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

[WhichDawg]

Sweet! and you can use it for other things around home and out 

[Chako]

True enough. Bought a zoom eyepiece for kicks. It is a Svbony SV135 7-21mm 1.25".

I haven't even powered up the telescope yet. I will read the instructions tomorrow.

[WhichDawg]

They make nice eye pieces very reasonably priced. We buy our eye pieces and filters from Highpoint Scientific and Agena (AgenaAstro now) they have great customer service and good sales.

[Chako]

Good to know. I finished reading the instructions and umm...will have to read them a few more times lol. I noticed they included a collomation cap with the telescope. I read that section several times and quickly bought one of those laser ones online. That appears to be simpler than what was described in the manual. Probably simple enougth to do, but I watched a video about the laser and that seemed even simpler...can even do it in the daytime.

I also just purchased a Celestron Omni 2X Barlow Lens. That will be it until I can assess from experience what is needed.

I did notice that there is a photography feature built into the base titled SNAP. The manual was scant on what it does. Place to put a shutter release? How would that even work unless software driven with ScanSense software. 

[Chako]

I just bought a ALLPOWERS 299Wh 600W Portable Power Station R600 and a car lighter plug in cable that should work with the Virtuoso mount. That should come in next week or so. I hope that will do with my power needs.

[WhichDawg]

I don’t remember that SNAP feature. We were planning on connecting a camera to the view finder with spacers and rings specific to whatever basic camera we could find for astrophotography, but knew our pictures would be simple and low quality. It was more for introducing us to optical astronomy. It seemed like a good way to start, but with it taking so long to ship (months), we just dove in full bore and got good astrophotography equipment. So we learned and started that way, the harder way! My wife is a software engineer so the hardest part was covered, and I’m a good gorilla to carry stuff, so it worked out for us. 😁

Hope your power station works out good and it lasts. 

[WhichDawg]

We ordered this at the same time as your GTi 150 and got it much faster
our first real astrophotography setup The Askar FRA400

and all the peripherals connected all over!