The telescopes tag has no wiki summary.
4
votes
3answers
444 views
Sky-Watcher Skyhawk 1145P SynScan AZ GOTO
What is the experience using the Sky-Watcher Skyhawk 1145P SynScan AZ GOTO telescope and can it be recommended for a new astronomer? Is it any good?
4
votes
1answer
19 views
What demonstrations for a five-hour optical and radio astronomy workshop? [closed]
I volunteer at a group that has restored the oldest German radio telescope. We are now at a point where we want to invite interested amateur astronomers and school children to workshops. I'm currently ...
3
votes
5answers
1k views
Having difficulties finding objects with Celestron Telescope
I have a Celestron Astromaster 114 EQ, which I saw was highly recommended as a great beginner scope. But I just can't seem to find anything in the sky with it. Yes, I've removed the lens cap, yes I've ...
3
votes
3answers
412 views
How to locate the Orion Nebula?
I was trying to see Orion Nebula for few days now and I simply can't spot it. I'm using Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ ( 5" , Newtonian , 1000m ). I'm pretty sure I have the right spot as I saw many ...
3
votes
2answers
26 views
Are our telescopes capable of taking actual images of brown dwarfs?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110824102135.htm
And could we achieve a high enough resolution to actually be able to study the dynamics of brown dwarf atmospheres in the near-future?
...
3
votes
3answers
44 views
Quality loss when adding more components to a telescope?
I would think this would be inherently true, but I'm curious:
(Assuming the highest quality amateur instruments are used.)
Is quality lost when, say, adding a T-mount adapter, diagonal or any other ...
3
votes
8answers
1k views
Seeking Recommendation for Celestron Firstscope Eyepiece Upgrade
I have a Celestron Firstscope telescope and like it overall for my location and the amount of observing I do. I am disappointed in my view of the planets with the scope. What would be a good eye piece ...
3
votes
2answers
277 views
Hartmann mask based collimation
Is there a detailed description for a Hartmann mask based collimation process?
I've been told by a friend that is possible to collimate an SCT by placing a three round holes Hartmann mask at the ...
3
votes
2answers
97 views
The Bahtinov focusing mask
I'm looking for a webpage or a book or reference that might give me a better (and hopefully more scientific) understanding of how the Bahtinov mask works (which I understand to be the same as ...
3
votes
2answers
715 views
Issues with Celestron 130 SLT and shaking
I have a Celestron 130 SLT reflector. I am having some issues with it and I hoped you all could help me. I'm looking for some low tech and inexpensive solutions.
My telescope shakes like crazy. I ...
3
votes
1answer
225 views
Sky-Watcher Skymax-127 (AZ) 127mm (5") f/1500 SynScan GO-TO Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
I have not purchased the above item yet but was wondering whether or not I should? Can I hook this scope up to a monitor or laptop so I can see what my scope is seeing? Is this scope is any good at ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views
Adaptive Optics Capability in the Visible Range
Telescopes with adaptive optics (AO) have been in use for several decades. To my knowledge, the lowest wavelengths utilized are in the near-infrared. It's known that Fried parameters are smaller for ...
3
votes
1answer
121 views
Error analysis of flux from telescope-CCD setup (photometric calibration)
I am doing photometric calibration of a telescope and am trying to work out the errors on the flux that I measure. I have attempted to work out the errors due to the process of removing bias, dark ...
3
votes
2answers
38 views
Particular targets of high angular resolution infrared telescopes
I work in the field of infrared interferometry, specifically instrumentation.
As such, I need to be aware of the science goals of such an instrument. Is there a quick list of important and ...
2
votes
3answers
273 views
How could I translate a field of view value into a magnification value?
When I zoom in with Stellarium, it indicates a field of view (FOV) value in degrees, but most binoculars and telescopes are advertised with value like "nX magnification power."
How could I translate ...
2
votes
1answer
149 views
Telescope size to view saturn
What is the properties (size, etc) of required lenses for minimal telescope to see the Saturn rings clearly?
2
votes
2answers
177 views
How to correct flares and sharply focus on my telescope when viewing planets.
A month or two ago I purchased a “Skywatcher Explorer 130P Newtonian Reflector” telescope - which so far is brilliant when looking at the Moon, esp. using a neutral density filter. However, when ...
2
votes
4answers
425 views
Recommended first accessories for starblast 4.5
My son got an orion starblast 4.5 for Christmas. It comes with orion explorer II 17mm and 6mm eyepieces. We are looking at some additional accessories and wondering what you would recommend as "first ...
2
votes
2answers
171 views
Why do we stop using optics for photons above a certain energy?
I'm reading about how the soon-to-be-launched NuSTAR is on the cutting edge of focusing x-rays, which captures 5 to 80 keV radiation by focusing them with optics that have a 10.15 meter focal length ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
Why do focal lengths affect magnification?
For compound lenses, the image formed by first lens acts as the imaginaryobject for the second lens.
In telescopes, the objective lens projects an image on its focal point which works as the object ...
2
votes
1answer
19 views
What was the most distant supernova spotted by a amateur astronomer until today?
What type of commercial amateur telescope and what method (difference imaging,...) did he use for identifying the supernova?
2
votes
0answers
125 views
Future space-based telescope array
Radio-telescopes (e.g. the Very Large Array (VLA)) can simulate one gigantic dish by using separate smaller dishes.
Q: Could such an array of optical telescopes potentially see an exoplanet at say 20 ...
1
vote
2answers
914 views
How to ‘correct’ reflected image on my telescope?
When viewed using my reflector telescope, the image, for example the moon, is flipped over and upside down (reflected). Therefore I need to do the ‘opposite’ movements when I want to align something. ...
1
vote
1answer
112 views
Distance at which a 300m asteroid is visible
Using the best available telescopes, and assuming a typical albedo of 10%, at what distance can a 300m asteroid be seen (well enough to start plotting its course) in 1) visible and 2) infrared ...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
What equipment is needed for equatorial drift scanning/TDI with a Dobsonian?
It should be possible to do a "parked scan" along the celestial equator ("stripe 82" and "stripe 10") with a Dobsonian telescope, as no tracking is required. I can foresee two issues, though: first, ...
0
votes
2answers
108 views
Do I need to focus the telescope?
I purchased a 90x refractor telescope with below configuration.
Objective: 50mm diameter with 360mm focal length
2 Eye pieces: 6mm, 20mm (10-1/ 8" scope)
1.5x erecting eye piece
It measures 13- ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Telescopes Meade Etx90ec [closed]
Hi I am looking to purchase a second hand Meade ETX90ec
Meade Telescope ETx 90 EC comes with deluxe tripod ,3 super plossol eyepieces 9mm, 15mm, 26, also barlow lens. Has anyone had any experience ...
0
votes
0answers
43 views
Observing through a 90 degrees positioned telescope on a flat surface
Assuming I'm standing in the middle of the ocean with a large telescope, positioned such that it's angle is 90 degrees (i.e, it's parallel to the sea) and assume that there are no light interferences ...
-1
votes
2answers
2k views
Celestron NexStar 6 SE vs. Orion XT8 [closed]
I'm interested in purchasing a new telescope and have narrowed it down to the NexStar 6 SE vs. the Orion XT8.
I'd like to be able to get into astrophotography and read that having the Go-To ...
-2
votes
2answers
48 views
Telescope “blue book” [closed]
I have a telescope that I may be in the market to sell in the near future and am wondering if there is a good source to find its value in the used market. Although it's never been out of the box, it ...
