Yet another n00b help me choose thread

[Ford Prefect]

Hi all,

I'll cut to the chase - I'm considering either a 12" GSO dob, or a Skywatcher 8" Newt with a tracking HEQ5 mount.

I'm interested in DSOs, but I also have a Canon 300D, so I have an interest in dabbling in astrophotography too. The 12" dob gives me great bang for buck in terms of aperture, but it's heavy, not very portable, and doesn't track. The 8" Newt on a HEQ5 presumably can carry the Canon for photography, but it's a GEM, so it's more difficult to set up, and it's a much smaller aperture.

Thoughts? Is there much I'm not likely to see with the 8"? I'm leaning toward it for the photography and portability, but I'm worried that I'll go to look at stuff and find that I'm struggling to see it and then wish I got the 12" dob. Any advice or comment is welcome :help:

[Bassnut]

12" dob for viewing, great. 8" newt on a HEQ5 for imaging?, heading for grief. Tracking wont cut it, guiding is a different world of pain, more money... much more.

You said cut to the chase. Go for a much shorter FL if you want to image on an HEQ5 mount, or chose a better one, mount is ALL for imaging. different worlds.

[dannat]

why not get a 10" on an eq6

[Tandum]

James, I've had several 8" scopes but I just got a 12" dob and it just sucks in so much more light and the views are so much more vivid it's fantastic, but. Mounting that 12" beast on an eq mount to take photos is really hard. I need tube rings from the UK and now we are talking big bucks just to get them here.

If I did it all again, I'd look for a 10" anything on an eq6 goto. Then worry about comma etc etc later. How much do you have to spend? That sort of sorts out the problem :)

[Ford Prefect]

$1200 budget guys, EQ6/goto is out of the question. Sounds like I'd better go with the dob and forget about the photography...

[Miaplacidus]

Hi James, and welcome.

Have you joined the AST
http://ast.n3.net/

Their website still mentions that they have viewing nights every Friday evening at Mt Canopus. If these are still on, these can be good opportunities to see some equipment in action.

Cheers,

Brian.

[Ford Prefect]

Hi Brian - thanks, yes I'm aware, although not (yet) a member of the AST. I'm currently doing their introductory course, although the first night of the course was hampered by complete cloud cover :sadeyes:

Incidentally, on the subject of clouds, can anyone tell me if there is a seasonality associated with cloud formation? It seems that the last few weeks have been very claggy, just wondering if it's a spring thing?

Anyway - I took the plunge and ordered the 12" dob! I'd pretty much already settled on this anyway several weeks ago after plenty of research, just the 8"er tempted me at the last minute with tracking. My new baby arrives at the end of this week or more likely early next week, courtesy of Andrews Comms.

Can anyone recommend a good beginner/intermediate sky atlas? I'm not sure I want to splash out on the full Uranometria/Nortons/Millennium for $200-300 :eyepop:

I'm considering either Atlas of the Southern Skies or Night Sky Observers Guide vol 3. Can anyone comment on the quality/worth of these two? Or suggest something better? I have Stellarium/Cartes du Ciels, but I prefer the feel of paper in my fingers, and would rather not be forced to use the laptop.

[Paddy]

Hi James,

I've found the Atlas of the Southern Night Sky to be a great starting point as it has an achievable selection of targets for each constellation and some pictures that help you to know that you've found your target. I am now enjoying Sky Atlas 2000, but would have found it a bit overwhelming a year ago. And I still use both.

I also reckon a 12" newt is a bit hard to go past, except for perhaps a 16"...

[Tandum]

The big DOB will show you heaps but they are a handfull to move around. I bought a trolly from supercheap auto for $30. I use The Sky on a laptop for charts.

You can still do planetary photography with the DOB using a webcam or similar. Something like this. (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=43458[/URL) :)

[Dennis G]

A 300 mm was my first choice, but after careful consideration with weight and size and ease of transportation in a small vehicle, I settled on the 250mm and havn't been disappointed. See the attached. The GSO scope was stripped and modified into a truss mounted dob I call my 250 Light Bucket, which is fully described in the equipment section of IIS.
The Clavius image was captured Saturday last. The first clear sky in a month and that only lasted for a few hours!

The scope has remote focus - the control to this is in the tray on the side. The platform control sits on the Computer table beside the scope. Illuminated Finder scope and a laser finder. Tube handles removed when the scope has been aligned to the SCP and raised level on the 4x adjustable steel tube supports. The platform is locked down with 4x folding supports for transporting. Its big and heavy but a magnificent telescope! And the DMK 21 mono equally so.

[Miaplacidus]

Hi James,
The frustrating thing about astronomy in Tassie is that, just when you think the weather is going to be perfect, forestry do another burnoff. (I guess it is perfect for that, too.)
Cheers,
Brian.

[Wavytone]

Simple - aperture rules, as long as you can move it. Get the 12".

[Ford Prefect]

Well, off to collect my new dob from the couriers in 10 mins.. big Kev excited! :D

Unfortunately the forecast is for rain (and obviously cloud) for the next week, so I'll have plenty of time to fine-tune the collimation and align the finderscope before first light :sadeyes: :(

[erick]

What didya get? :P 12" dob? Who from? How does it look?

[Paddy]

I can imagine a lot of wistful looking at the scope!

[Ford Prefect]

Well at the moment I'm looking at a 12" tube surrounded by parts of a mount that appears to have no assembly instructions!

EDIT: hold fire, found 'em. Mind you, looking at them, this is going to be a long and tedious operation...

Erick: yes, 12" GSO dob from Andrews. Looks pretty schmicko ;)

[Bassnut]

James

ummm,,, Im confused, you mounting that on an EQ5?, gunna take pics?, or just for viewing?

[Ford Prefect]

Nope, gave up on the equatorial option and went with a dob for viewing.

Although I'm quite happy to give your G11 a new home... ;)

[Ford Prefect]

Ok, now I'm a little shirty.

I was rather unimpressed to attached the handle to the mount, give it a little shake and have it pull right off the mount, screw sockets and all (pic 3). Mind you, I'm not entirely sure what this handle is for, I certainly wouldn't lift the mount with it!

Now I've got the mount assembled. I went to attach the trunnions (pic 1) to the OTA, but I'm not sure what to do. The fittings on the side of the OTA (pic 2) have bolts in them, going into hex lock nuts. But they're so tight, I can't budge them!! :screwy:

[Tandum]

The dob mounts truely are crap. If they used craftwood instead of chipboard they would be far better.

Mine is a bit old school at the hinge, it has a big spring. RTFM I guess :)

Also note mine hasn't moved since the last image as it's still frigging raining .....

[deadsimple]

I almost threw my Dob mount over the fence due to frustration. But I kept it as it's not a bad storage stand when the telescope isn't on an EQ mount. Though granted it's not bad for observing stuff at low magnification, so easy to move around around the sky.

If you later insist on Dob imaging, start each session with a couple of beers to take the edge off and dampen the inevitable anger. Just make sure you have the telescope outside and in place first :)

[Barrykgerdes]

I think DOBS are a very useful mount for the purpose they were designed for. I agree the chipboard type are a little flimsy and don't like wet weather. but the one I have (20 years old now) made from 1/2" ply is quite good and stable. So much so that I spent a few days in the workshop and converted into a solid Alt/Azm mount with leveling table, ball bearings and a drive mechanism that has a goto facility and tracks very well. Details are on my web site somewhere.

Barry

[Ford Prefect]

The dob mount seems fine, it's just these trunnion attachments - any ideas on loosening those nuts? WD40?

If I can't get them undone, I can't attach the trunnions and mount the thing!

[Paddy]

Hi James,

They seem to have changed the mount since I bought my GSO dob whcih doesn't have the screws in your photos, so I can't help you with this one. I did find it helpful to ring the shop (I bought mine from Bintel) with questions and they were very good.

I also found the mount a bit frustrating at first, but with some of the mods suggested in the IIS articles section, I'm quite happy with it. And even thought its chipboard, it has lasted fine so far. I say this to reassure you that it will all work out and you will enjoy your scope.

[Ford Prefect]

Well, I feel like a right dill :whistle:

All I needed was a bigger screwdriver! :rolleyes: Little wonder I couldn't loosen them!

Here she is in all her glory, and also a view of the skies that I'll be seeing for the next 4 days or so... :screwy:

[Tandum]

So it's your fault we're under water up here :)

[bonkers]

I'm a beginner in astronomy, I do it in a home handyman way, much I don't understand, I do stockmarket, Im putting the low in for Standard and Poors 500 776.76 Thursday 20th of November New York time. (March 12th 2003 low 788.90) either it holds that point or goes further down.