Beginner Questions

[Music Junkie]

Hey everyone:

I did a search, but it was a bit intimidating with the pure mass of info here. So, I am going to be a bit lazy and ask some questions that are probably here already. I apologize in advance for that.

I just bought a Meade Lightbridge 8" Dob mount. It came standard with a 25mm eyepiece and the extension (which does not seem to be necessary - I was told that if it was needed, it would be in the box. It was in there, but I get a better focus on the moon without it.....). Anyway, I also bought a 10mm eyepiece and three filters (blue, red and yellow). It has a redlight spotter and it seems to be lined up fairly well when I use the telephone pole trick as mentioned elsewhere. So, here are my questions:

1. What are the best "Beginner" items to check out. easy to find and all?
2. What, if any, other accessories would you recommend (eyepieces, filters, etc.)
3. I was told that I can get an adapter to mount my digital camera on there for quick capture pics and that I could also buy an optional motor to allow me to get longer exposure pics as well. What is the general consensus on this?

Sorry if these seem like bonehead questions, but I am just getting into this and was looking for a bit more guidance.

I am heading up to the Eastern Sierras next month, and I want to be as prepared as I can for my first "REAL" experience.

Thanks in advance for any info.

MJ

:)

[hhEb09'1]

Welcome to BAUT, Music Junkie! I've moved your question over to our equipment forum, I think you may get some good reponses there.

[Music Junkie]

Forgot to mention, I live in southern CA. Not in an overly populated area, so the light pollution is not too bad (it is certainly there though). So, any objects and directions to those would be great!

Thanks again,

MJ

[Hornblower]

Hey everyone:

I did a search, but it was a bit intimidating with the pure mass of info here. So, I am going to be a bit lazy and ask some questions that are probably here already. I apologize in advance for that.

I just bought a Meade Lightbridge 8" Dob mount. It came standard with a 25mm eyepiece and the extension (which does not seem to be necessary - I was told that if it was needed, it would be in the box. It was in there, but I get a better focus on the moon without it.....). Anyway, I also bought a 10mm eyepiece and three filters (blue, red and yellow). It has a redlight spotter and it seems to be lined up fairly well when I use the telephone pole trick as mentioned elsewhere. So, here are my questions:

1. What are the best "Beginner" items to check out. easy to find and allGood binoculars, as a companion instrument to the big scope.
2. What, if any, other accessories would you recommend (eyepieces, filters, etc.)?

A 1.5x Barlow lens, along with those eyepieces, would give you four nicely spaced magnifications.

3. I was told that I can get an adapter to mount my digital camera on there for quick capture pics and that I could also buy an optional motor to allow me to get longer exposure pics as well. What is the general consensus on this?
That "optional motor" would have to be a Poncet platform or something similar, to give the altazimuth Dob an equatorial movement.

Don't rush into attempts at time-exposure astrophotography. Take your time getting acquainted with the act of finding celestial treasures that can be seen visually with this simple but powerful scope.

Sorry if these seem like bonehead questions, but I am just getting into this and was looking for a bit more guidance.

I am heading up to the Eastern Sierras next month, and I want to be as prepared as I can for my first "REAL" experience.

Thanks in advance for any info.

MJ

:)Your questions are boneheaded only if you don't ask them. I would recommend looking for an astronomy club in your area, and picking their brains for observing tips.

[thoth II]

Try out the low power, 25 mm eyepiece until you are familiar with your scope and how the mount works. Dobs are easy to push around. (I'd start without filter, and then put them on to see how they change view). Go for easy targets first, Saturn, moon, Pleaides, stuff like that.

Then find maybe Saturn again under low power, then center it, change to the 10 mm eyepiece, you'll get 2.5X the power, and change focus accordingly. It'll move a lot faster so be prepared to keep moving the mount, little pushes.

The barlow gives in between powers, try those.

Go out as often as possible at different months over next few years to see wider array of objects. If that all goes well, maybe try out the adapter and quick digital camera shots, those shouldn't be too hard.

But it is a step to graduate up to the motorized and time-exposure shots; I've never graduated that high myself, so I can't talk. But I would think it would be more difficult because remember the objects will move unless the motor compensates, and that takes a good alignment.

[Music Junkie]

Thanks guys! Yeah, I am not really concerned right now with the motorized base. Hell, I can't even figure out how to do a long term exposure on my camera yet (lol). I am mostly concerned with just having fun a getting to know the night sky a bit more right now. I was looking at a barlow this morning, but was not too sure about it. It was a 2x barlow. Do you get any unwanted effects from using a barlow? I mean, do you get a better view out of a specific eyepiece, or will an eyepiece with half the magnification with the 2x barlow give you the same quality (I hope that ? makes sense). I will concentrate on the easy objects for now and see what I can come up with. Thanks for all the leads and info. This is a gre3at forum with tons if good stuff.

MJ

[RickJ]

There are many astronomy clubs in Southern Cal. Start attending their star parties. It is the quickest way to learn what you need to know.

Rick

[Music Junkie]

Yeah, I am googling astronomy clubs in my area now so I can see what's up. Thanks again for responding. I am very excited about this.

MJ