Society for Popular Astronomy

I have the Celestron Astromaster 90 AZ and the Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ reflector.

I have put my refractor on the equatorial mount from the reflector, but it doesn't seem right. Do I need to get another eq mount more suited to the refractor?

Regards
Peter

I'm considering getting a light pollution filter and was wondering if these are worth getting as they are a little on the expensive side.

Any advice/comments would be appreciated.

Peter

There is a You Tube video where the presenter states categorically that is a mistake to use an AZ mount simply because it is difficult and frustrating to track an object using the up/down controls. Hence, an EQ mount is essential for tracking and general observing. Although it is understandable that...

Hi David, Thanks for your comments and advice. Although aperture size is a primary consideration, in my case I appreciate practicalities need to be considered first. As my observing is done indoors through an open window, a 3.5 or 4in refractor might be a better choice. Still, I'm in no hurry just y...

Sherwoods have the SKYWATCHER EVOSTAR-150 (OTA) TELESCOPE 150mm (6") f/1200 REFRACTOR at £530.00 (just the optical tube) This looks perfect but for observing through an open window is perhaps too high end!! There is the same model but 120mm (4.75 in). This might be more practical. Any views/sug...

Hi David, Many thanks for the advice. Actually, the Celstron 10x50 I have which cost under £20 work very well for star gazing and even observing the moon! On the Amazon website the Nikon Action V11 binoculars (10-22x50) are on sale for £88.99 (reduced from £275.99!!!) Even though I have a reflector,...

I came across Sunagor 30-160x70 BCF Mega Zoom Binoculars. These are supposed to be the most powerful binoculars in the world!! They're not cheap at around £250. Has anyone used these and if so what sort of images can one expect in particular using the zoom function? From what I've read they could be...

Hi David,

Focal length of my relector his 650mm.

Peter

I recently purchased the Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ which came with 2 eyepieces -10mm & 20mm. These are adequate but general advice is to purchase better quality eyepieces. Can anyone recommend eyepieces I should be thinking about? I don't really want to go much above £50 if I can help it. Any...

Hi David,

Many thanks for the advice. I think I have a rough idea where North is using my compass but not sure what else might be influencing it. The dates you gave should give a more accurate approach.


Peter

With an eq mount, the advice is to polar align it. As I do my observing out of a window on the 2nd floor plus I do not get a view of the north side hence cannot see Polaris, I have not polar aligned the mount. However, by simply using the finder I can locate/focus on, say, Jupiter and using the RA a...

Hi to all SPA members, My name is Peter and recently taken up the hobby of astronomy. My equipment: 10x50 binoculars Celestron Astromaster 130EQ Canon digital camera So far I've seen: The moon through my reflector and photgraphed several of its phases over the last 2 weeks Jupiter and the 4 moons - ...