Equipment: Explore Scientific 8 inch Dobsonian, Svbony 7-21mm zoom eyepiece, 3x barlow lens, Samsung galaxy M21 on a smartphone adapter.

Magnification: 522x with the scope and 2x - 3x optical zoom on the phone

Seeing conditions: Antoniadi II

I guess folks can get a sense of how good the seeing is where I live.

You can also see the C ring and the shadow of the planet on the rings in this video in moments of calm.

Believe it or not, the image in the eyepiece was even better than the video!

12" DOB + Astral Fields EQ Platform

SVBony 705C + ADC + Barlow 2x

Firecapture + PiPP+ Autostakkert + Registax + Fast Stone Image Viewer

So I recently got my first telescope, the skywatcher heritage 130p. Now I know this telescope's main purpose is skyWATCHING, and taking pictures/videos isn't recommender or intuitive, but I still wanted to try.

What you are seeing are the first every image (stacked + processed) I took of Saturn, and my most recent one from last night. The 2nd one looks much bigger and detailed because I also got a 2x barlow lens.

I'm curious to see what y'all think of this progress, and if the images are even somewhat good (I'm very proud of them either way).

Clear skies!

Telescope: Orion Skyscanner 100mm
Gear: 10mm eyepiece, 2x Barlow, and phone mount
Taken with an iPhone 15 pro max and edited in LR.

Hey all, is this a good deal? Mirror looks to be in pretty great condition. Comes with 1 25mm eyepiece. Can’t tell the size of the focuser? 1.25 or 2?

Following-up on the C6/6se score, I've since acquired another Orion SpaceProbe 130st on its original EQ2 mount for $50 AND, for $25, this beauty, a FOCAL 114mm (4.5") 900mm on an EQshouldneverhavebeen made.

The 130st (not pictured) is getting a dovetail, an EQ2 single-axis motor drive, and a finder base and adapter to hold a cellphone for AstroHelm.

The FOCAL 114mm (in pic #1) is likely headed for a Dobsonian mount like the one in pic #2 for the Celestron 114mm/900mm, with 3D printed Alt. bearings and a finder base/adapter for AstroHelm. And, oh yeah, the primary needs center spotting with a paper hole reinforcer (office supplies to the rescue!!). Jury still out on the finderscope.

By borrowing a 6" dovetail bar from one of my guidescopes and attaching it to the "rings" I was able to mount it to my SV225/SV225t last night. We had some thin clouds - could see the Moon. But being a full Moon and only through the thin clouds couldn't really judge the optics. No stars visible so couldn't star test it.

After which both telescopes and their mounts will go into service as loaner scopes for my club.

Hi, I know nothing about telescope but my grandmother gave me a bushnell voyager telescope she found in her attic, no manual and could be missing parts, could anyone give me some guidance on how to get started with this thing? Thanks

I picked it up used, I read that it should have a cooling fan. There is no cooling fan, why would I need one? I put it out about an hour or more before I plan to view. I live in northern Arizona. Nights can be in the single digits or 70s depending on time of year.

i got a telescope at an antique faire near my house this last weekend for 7 dollars, after owning it for a day i’ve noticed the little bulbish thing that i’m wondering about, but i have no idea how to ask, so here’s a picture of it.

what is the little bitty piece on the lining on the circle? it moved slightly and i put it back into place.

I came here a few years ago for a suggestion for my stargazing wife and she has been happy enough with the Celestron I got her back then, though not so much now as the stand it came with has been garbage since the get go.

Now she is requesting an Apertura AD8 Dobsonian 8" Telescope. While I can afford it, its definitely eating up most of my Christmas budget so if there are some approximate models I am all ears.

In reviewing the buyers guide here, I see that this is one of the recommended ones for that tier of telescope. before I make the purchase, are there any similar recommendations or is this the best bang for buck at this point?

TIA

Looking at purchasing a telescope for my son's Cub Scout pack. Trying to remain on a budget, so I've primarily been looking on FB marketplace and places like that.

I'm trying to find a telescope I could attach my phone to so its easier for a few Scouts to see what we're looking at rather than having to keep adjusting the 'scope.

I have found a Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114 for $100, but every says its a bad 'scope.

Suggestions?

Considering this or a new AD8. Thanks y'all!

Hi all! I have been using a fairly cheap Astromaster 70 for the past couple of years just to get fun views of planets and the moon. I think I have pushed this thing to its upper bound and am looking to purchase something a little nicer, still prioritizing moon and planet photography as well as mobility (want something easy-ish to move around).

I have a decent DSLR that I attach to the telescope for pictures, and would probably do this same approach for the new scope too. Probably looking to spend $500ish.

Curious to hear thoughts about what has worked for you!

Looking to get my first telescope. I've read quite a few posts that the Apertura offering has much better accessories out of the box than the StarField.

I'm close enough to the border that I could order the Apertura to a shipping receiver and drive to pick it up, or get the StarField more easily locally.

I doubt much would have changed in the last year or so ​as far as what comes ​​standard with the Starfield

https://ontariotelescope.com/products/starfield-optics-8-f-6-dobsonian

https://www.highpointscientific.com/apertura-ad8-8-inch-dobsonian-telescope-ad8

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I own a SW skymax 127 Mak. I am wondering if getting a focal reducer will help view/photograph larger/fainter dsos.

I noticed SVbony offers a reducer with their 127 mak. Has anyone tried if it works with the Skywatcher maks?

Please share if any positive experiences with a reducer on skymax 127.

Has anyone had this problem on a NexStar 5 SE?

After alignment, the Alt axis keeps driving and the whole tube rotates a full 360° over and over. The Az axis (left and right) works perfectly. The handset’s axis test is smooth on both axes, so both motors drive. In Get Axis Position, the Alt reading sticks (for example at 2), then jumps to 6 and stays there while the tube keeps rotating. It did this before I flashed any firmware.

What I’ve done so far:

• Flashed the handset and motors to 4.20 (older version 4 handset, RJ9-to-USB cable). No change.
• Ruled out meridian flip, which doesn’t apply to an alt-az fork mount.
• Opened up the fork arm and base and photographed the Alt motor, arc gear, clutch and wiring running down to the base.

Hi.

I have a Bushnell Northstar which doesn't have anymore its lid to seal and protect the mirror inside.

Its controller's screen also had issues but I managed after some time and research to find some on ebay working perfectly.

I tried to find replacement online but vainly and ended buying a tissue generic one size fits all cover which isn't very practical.

Do any of you where to buy spare parts ?

When using a 2" eyepiece, should I remove the 1,25" adapter at the bottom of the eyepiece?