Additional equipment

[OzStarGazer]

Hello, I have my telescope now (the Skywatcher Heritage 5") and was wondering if there is any additional equipment you would recommend. I intend to buy a 2x Barlow lens and a moon filter (or maybe all the colour filters) after Christmas... Anything else you think I should have? The telescope itself comes with two eyepieces (10mm and a 25mm). A camera adapter is also on my list, but first I want to see how the tripod works. Maybe I should also get a collimation tool?

Thanks!

[JJDOBBER79 (Jas)]

I would get a red dot finder if your scope didn't come with one. Best piece of equipment I have bought so far. I don't know how useful the colour filters are. Maybe someone else can weigh in on this.

[OzStarGazer]

Originally Posted by JJDOBBER79

I would get a red dot finder if your scope didn't come with one. Best piece of equipment I have bought so far. I don't know how useful the colour filters are. Maybe someone else can weigh in on this.

Thanks, it did come with a red dot finder. I agree: it is really useful.

This is the ad about the colour filters and what they do. They are not very expensive (they are Seben filters).

Orange (46%)
Due to the absorption of blue-greenish colours it is especially suitable for the observation of orange-yellowish surface structures on Mars. It also increases the perceptibility of details in Jupiter's and Saturn's belts and polar regions.

Dark Blue (17%)
Blocks transmission of orange and red almost completely. Is especially suitable for the observation of Jupiter's Great Red Spot and its reddish belts. It brings out details of Saturn's ring system. In greater apertures it even brings out cloud details on Venus. Can also be used to observe dust storms on Mars.

Light Green (53%)
A popular filter for the observation of the Martian polar ice caps and yellowish dust storms on Mars surface. Also great for observations of the moon. The contrast of the red and blue regions in Jupiter's atmosphere will be enhanced.

Grey (13%)
Ideally suitable for the observation of the moon as well as other bright planets and reflecting celestial objects like double stars. Great results can also be reached in combination with other coloured filters.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

The 2 x Barlow and the Moon filter are a good call. The Barlow will give you 5mm and 12.5mm on your existing eyepieces respectively virtually doubling them Be aware it will also make the view dimmer but it will let you know what eyepieces you may at a later stage decide to buy. Take advice from the experts here ( not me ).
The Moon filter is gold, otherwsie you will have a lightshocked eyefull real quick, it is one bright ball of light. If you have a front lens cap for your scope you may find it has a smaller hole with another cap on it. This can also be used to limit the amount of light coming in to the scope from the moon. If you haven't got a cap you can make a cardboard mask with a smaller hole in it. I made one for my 10', The small hole was only about 50mm diameter. Black(ened) cardboard is better.
Coloured filters, I'd leave them for a while. They are of limited value TBH unless you get serious on planetary viewing. You may find you need Light Pollution and/or nebula type filters to be more useful. Again, take advice from the experts on that here.
For now I'd just get out there and explore and enjoy. Do a bit of research first ( Stellarium helps ) and go hunting. Take some notes and then ask questions.

[CJ (Chris)]

+1 what Brent said.

You're going down the same path that I went down about a year ago.
If they're cheap accessories, and you cant try stuff out elsewhere, it's all valuable experience.

Have a read of this thread though
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=114084

A red light torch is an essential too.

I found a good book a worthwhile investment. My local library had some good ones (no decent bookshops round here to check them out). Some apps are very good too. The Sky Safari range are on sale too through December. As Brent suggested, Stellarium is terrific, although I find it hard to use in the field.

Plan a list and get star hopping!

Cheers

[CJ (Chris)]

Here's another good thread

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=74670

[OzStarGazer]

Thank you everyone. I will have a look at the links (the other threads) for additional information.

I do have some good software, Starry Night Pro. Is it the same as Stellarium? Wow, I see that Stellarium is free. Well, I got the other one as a gift not too long ago... Are there any additional features Stellarium has?

About the moon filters, the Seben one sold separately on eBay is blue, but I also like the grey one from the moon photos I have seen (actually I like the grey one more than the blue one), and the grey one is in the package of 4 colours. For some reason either they don't sell it separately or it is out of stock (as a separate item).

I have also found this moon filter, which apparently reduces light pollution in addition to being a moon filter. Not 100% sure if it can be used with all brands.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ostara-1-...item2329045d66

And this nebular filter:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Meade-Tel...item53fa76265b

I will have a look at the other links now to see if there are better options.

I need the moon one urgently, but unfortunately the reason I prefer to buy after Christmas is that there is too much chaos right now, particularly if you buy from overseas...

[OzStarGazer]

I think a solar filter would also be a good idea?

[AstralTraveller (David)]

A comfortable observer sees more than one who is cold and contorted into an unnatural position. Get some good warm clothes, including a beanie, overpants and warm boots. Get a Bintel observing chair. It's about the cost of an OK eyepiece and will get used more often.

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks, I didn't even know there was such a chair. It looks very nice. My dobson is pretty small though, but if the table is high or if it is a small wall instead of a table it could be useful.
I am always wrapped up when I go to the beach at night...

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

My opinion, and it is only that, is that I wouldn't bother with filters to start with. The Moon is really bright for sure, but if you're observing the Moon then you're not really worried about night vision (you could do it just as well from home if you have a clear shot) so just peep at it and let your eyes adjust. You will get more contrast without the filter.

Light pollution filter...unless it's really bright where you observe from (you can read a book without a torch) then don't rush into getting one as all they do is cut light throughput.

Same goes for a nebula filter (the one you linked to is for an SCT so definitely don't get that as it won't fit!)...for a small aperture you'd be better off with a wide band UHC filter as it will let more light through, but the downside is that the reduction in unwanted wavelengths and consequent enhancement of those you want is much more subtle than in a larger scope with a narrower band UHC type filter. That's my experience anyhow.

A chair is a really good suggestion, it's much easier to observe for lengths of time when you're comfortable! I can observe Jupiter for hours at a time and being seated and positioned well is really important.

Barlow...make sure it's a really small and light one for it to work well with the focuser assembly on the Heritage. Baader do a really nice little one that really seems to introduce nothing optically besides magnification (but it isn't cheap) but there are plenty of others to choose from.

The important thing is just to get out there and enjoy your scope there are lots of satisfying targets easily in the reach of your scope and there will be plenty more to come as we approach winter

[OzStarGazer]

Thank you for your suggestions/recommendations!
Well, I don't think I could really read a book on my balcony (at least not without straining my eyes), but I live on the first floor and close to the street lamps (which are more or less at my level)... There is also a huge lamp above the front door of the building, and the door is on the left side of my balcony just below me, so the lamp is very close to my balcony.
The beach is much better of course. Both in terms of view and of light pollution.
The Barlow lens I was looking at is the Seben (2x). They told me Seben is good quality, and that Barlow lens is much cheaper than other Barlow lenses. Do you know if it is light enough?.

Another thing I might need is a collimation tool. The scope manual, however, says that I can build one myself with a 35mm film canister (which I don't have, but I guess I could find one in town), so I will give it a go.

Today by the way I found a very nice book on stars and planets with huge constellations etc. at the Alumni Bookshop. I can't wait to read it. (It is the Star Guide by R. Kerrod. It looks like new and it seems to be ideal for beginners.)

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

The Moon is so bright you could observe it just fine, it's so bright there's little to match it. In the past I've also observed Jupiter and Venus from my driveway as they're bright also, and if you just throw on a hoodie you can shield yourself from much of the street lamps.

I've no experience of the Seben barlow, but depending on how much you have to spend, I'd suggest a GSO Barlow from Andrews (for example). The GSO barlows are excellent for the price, I used to have the 2.5x before I got my Baader. Quite light too.

I can't help with collimation unfortunately as I use an SCT but hopefully someone will chime in

Congrats on your find, can't beat a good book

[OzStarGazer]

, Dunk. I will have a look at the Barlow lens you mention.
I am not buying anything before Christmas anyway... We will see what the full moon looks like in my telescope on the 17th!
I LOVE book sales, so I hope I will find more books. I am kicking myself because at the last book sale I was so loaded with other books and there was a HUGE book on stars and astronomy and I didn't buy it... But the one I bought yesterday is pretty good for starters. Pretty simple, but one has to start with the basics of course... You cannot run if you cannot walk.

[JJDOBBER79 (Jas)]

As far as books go. "Turn left at orion" is probably the book of choice for most amateur astronomers. I use sky walk app (free) to find the general area to look. Then I hit my star charts. I downloaded,(free) printed and laminated them from the "eyes on the skies" website. They have all the messier/Ngc objects marked on them up to mag 7. My best advice is to go take that scope to a national park or something. I would say that if you are obverving on a balcony at the same level as street lights you will be missing out on a lot. Ie you won't see galaxies/ most nebula. Have fun.

[OzStarGazer]

Originally Posted by JJDOBBER79

As far as books go. "Turn left at orion" is probably the book of choice for most amateur astronomers. I use sky walk app (free) to find the general area to look. Then I hit my star charts. I downloaded,(free) printed and laminated them from the "eyes on the skies" website. They have all the messier/Ngc objects marked on them up to mag 7.

I'll have a look, thanks!

Originally Posted by JJDOBBER79

My best advice is to go take that scope to a national park or something. I would say that if you are obverving on a balcony at the same level as street lights you will be missing out on a lot. Ie you won't see galaxies/ most nebula. Have fun.

Oh, the balcony is only for quick viewing. I live close to the beach and the promenade in front of it will be my favourite observatory whenever I can go.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Btw, the Moon is best observed away from New Moon - even if it's only by a couple of days. The reason is that at full Moon, the light from the Sun is being directly reflected back, hence why we see the whole disc, but away from full Moon the Moon is reflecting light back at an angle which is why we get the phases...but because there is a reflection angle, we also see shadow detail in craters which gives a much more 3D effect also away from full Moon the terminator is present, and it's always fascinating IMO looking along the terminator as it sweeps across the face of the Moon.

[OzStarGazer]

Thank you for the advice, Dunk. I just read about this yesterday evening in my book. (I started with the chapter on the moon...) I will pay close attention to the terminator. I also look forward to seeing Copernicus and Tycho.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Excellent, enjoy there's a whole universe out there

[OzStarGazer]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Excellent, enjoy there's a whole universe out there

Thanks, yes... it is just a pity that the weather sometimes doesn't understand my enthusiasm!