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Originally Posted by Blybo
Hi Guys,
Just bought our first ever scope and of course the clouds came in the last 2 nights before we could do much viewing. Love the ease of using this scope compared with you tube videos I've seen of people using counter weights and battery packs, cables everywhere... And the Skyportal app is brilliant for novices like us who are more interested in seeing stuff than learning heaps of technical information.
I know the use of Dob's is the best bang for buck, but for us, we semi regularly travel to the inlaws hobby farm out in Garfield and go camping so we wanted a scope that could easily travel with us, the kids and dogs without being our prime consideration.
My wife is the one really keen on astronomy, I have an interest but to be honest I'm more interested in the technology involved.
The Nexstar Evo 6 came with 40mm & 13mm Plossl ep's as standard. What other basics in EP's and filters would you suggest. Is a lunar filter really beneficial? The moon's been setting so soon after dusk this week we haven't tried viewing it yet.
We got a nice view of Jupiter last night with the 13 and what I assume were 2 of it's moons, but we'd love a more magnified view. The OTA has a focal length of 1500mm, what would be the best sized EP for planetary viewing and which construction style of EP will give us the best ease of viewing? I've read the plossl style isn't the best for ease of viewing. We have a reasonal budget but at such an early stage do not want to spend on stuff we won't use. I assume a 2x barlow would be beneficial if only wanting 3-4 ep's?
Also is there a "dumbies guide to EP construction pros & cons"? Also interested in potential benefits of 3rd party diagonals and going to 2"
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Congratulations on buying your first scope and a pretty decent one at that! From my experience, Plossl EPs work well with SCT scopes.
However, if possible, join an Astronomy Group and burrow their equipment first and see for yourself what works.
I would not rush to buy filters till you and your wife have more experience in using the scope. I think that U will find that U do not need a Moon filter. However, some of the planetary observers really like their filters.
Regarding 2" diagonals and EPs, the SCTs were invented in the days when widefield EPs were uncommon and really have not been designed to give an image over a really widefield. (The newer SCT Edge design are better). Looking at my 6" SCT optical assembly, I doubt that it is even possible to fit a 2" diagonal.
Regarding a dummies guide to EPs, there is plenty of such information on the Web. However, it can be difficult at times sorting out fact from spin and that's why I recommend at least visiting an Astronomy Group.