decisions to make for a second scope complimenting my Orion 130 triplet
I have a orion 130 ED, 910mm f7 refractor and use 2x barlow, 6mm eyepiece and a zwo 224mc etc so I can get closer to planets especially Jupiter and Saturn. I now however want to get a second scope but not sure what to get. I guess mainly for planetary. I predominantly do Astrophotography. I have read bits and pieces about Newts and SC. Recently I read on here about how hard it is to colliminate a RC so that has sort of put me off getting an Ritchie 8" f8 gso one. So Im trying to decide whether to get a SW 150-180 for planets or an Newt. I've not collimated anything as yet so that will be new and plus the other factor regarding the newt's is how long in is it before you have to replace the mirrors due to being out in the elements? Mirror flop issues, coma etc.
+1 for the SW 180 mak, I don't do a lot of planetary imaging but my 180 mak and 120mc are a pretty good combo. I find that the most I need to add on a good night is a 2x barlow.
Here's pic's of Saturn and Jupiter at prime focus with the 120mc, uncropped to show disc size.
Rick
+1 for the SW 180 mak, I don't do a lot of planetary imaging but my 180 mak and 120mc are a pretty good combo. I find that the most I need to add on a good night is a 2x barlow.
Here's pic's of Saturn and Jupiter at prime focus with the 120mc, uncropped to show disc size.
Rick
Can you say the exact setup you have for the great images
Hi Jeremy, it's just an old gold series 180mm mak on a Heq5 mount and the zwo 120mc with nose piece slotted straight into the focuser. Capture is done with Sharpcap and processed in RegiStax 6. I take a lot of short 300 frame captures and process the best looking clip.
Hi Jeremy, it's just an old gold series 180mm mak on a Heq5 mount and the zwo 120mc with nose piece slotted straight into the focuser. Capture is done with Sharpcap and processed in RegiStax 6. I take a lot of short 300 frame captures and process the best looking clip.
This was a couple of weeks ago with the 130 and 2x barlow with an zwo 224
thinking for more versatility is to get a 9.25 edge HD with fastar or use a focal reducer
Here’s some Jupiter and Lunar images with my 6” f6 Bintel GSO newt ( $299 ) and HEQ5 mount captured from Bortle 8 skies in Sydney
I have a 6” f6 newt and an 8” f5 newt for AP ( both Planetary and DSO )and a 12” Goto newt for visual
Obviously a newt lover !
Low cost telescope for average to good results in light polluted skies
I image from Sydney ( main residence) and Narrawallee (Our holiday / retirement home )
Attachment 246463
This was a couple of weeks ago with the 130 and 2x barlow with an zwo 224
thinking for more versatility is to get a 9.25 edge HD with fastar or use a focal reducer
I guess that's the big advantage in getting a big CAT it's more of an all rounder especially if you get the Fastar option.
The Mak's are pretty slow at F15 and are limited to high magnification work, but bigger aperture = better resolution and finer detail.
Here's a pic of Jupiter with the 180 Mak, 120mc and a 2.5x barlow (GSO cheapie)
Here’s some Jupiter and Lunar images with my 6” f6 Bintel GSO newt ( $299 ) and HEQ5 mount captured from Bortle 8 skies in Sydney
I have a 6” f6 newt and an 8” f5 newt for AP ( both Planetary and DSO )and a 12” Goto newt for visual
Obviously a newt lover !
Low cost telescope for average to good results in light polluted skies
I image from Sydney ( main residence) and Narrawallee (Our holiday / retirement home )
Cheers
Im only up the road at Burrill Lake Startrek.
Maybe the 180 will be the go, as I really only want something for planetary imaging plus moon, sun shots. Mercury transition of the sun in November.
Yes Daniel I’m only 15 minutes away, although I only spend 3 to 4 months of the year here at different times, mainly school holidays etc.. I’m retired but my wife still works in Sydney
There’s quite a few astronomers around this part of the south coast
Maybe in the future a small informal astronomy group meet every 3 or 4 months ? Who knows ?
All the best and enjoy our wonderful dark skies down here
how long in is it before you have to replace the mirrors due to being out in the elements? Mirror flop issues, coma etc.
This depends mostly on how you store the optics when not in use, the type of coating, and the type of scope. There are several factors concerning storage, too many to go into here.
For a cheap newtonian, if careless, the mirrors may require recoating (cheaper the replacing) within a couple of years. Stored with some care, they could last 10 years or more.
In a sealed-tube scope like an SCT or maksutov the mirror coatings should last 20-30 years, if they are over-coated quite possibly 40+ years.
