The Amateur Astronomy thread

surface said:
Trying to view Jupiter right now at 2100 hours but right now it is exactly overhead (I think - lol) and very uncomfortable to position with a DOB - how do you guys manage this if object is exactly overhead. Had excellent views of moon with 6mm eyepiece though - tried this eyepiece for the first time - absolutely stunning. Makes me want to get T-ring & adapter to photograph it.
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Directly overhead is always challenging but it's the one case where an equatorial mount makes things a little easier...
 
newby_investor said:
Directly overhead is always challenging but it's the one case where an equatorial mount makes things a little easier...
Click to expand...
Thanks, I suppose one could put a OTA on to a equatorial mount instead of Dob mount but that would surely be expensive. Looking for a cheaper solution to alleviate craning the neck. In any case, I am not comfortable with straight finderscope at all. Checking something like this now.

shop.technopro.co.za

TechnoPro - RCBS Rotary Case Trim Collet Nr3 (9373)

RCBS Rotary Case Trim Collet Nr3 (9373) Product Info For Rotary Case Trimmer. Specifications for RCBS Rotary Case Trim Collet Number 3 9373: Collet No: 3 Package Contents: RCBS 09373 Rotary Case Trim Collet Number 3
shop.technopro.co.za shop.technopro.co.za
 
surface said:
Trying to view Jupiter right now at 2100 hours but right now it is exactly overhead (I think - lol) and very uncomfortable to position with a DOB - how do you guys manage this if object is exactly overhead. Had excellent views of moon with 6mm eyepiece though - tried this eyepiece for the first time - absolutely stunning. Makes me want to get T-ring & adapter to photograph it.
Click to expand...
Or, you could try observing at 7pm. It's at quite a comfortable angle then :D
 
surface said:
Trying to view Jupiter right now at 2100 hours but right now it is exactly overhead (I think - lol) and very uncomfortable to position with a DOB - how do you guys manage this if object is exactly overhead. Had excellent views of moon with 6mm eyepiece though - tried this eyepiece for the first time - absolutely stunning. Makes me want to get T-ring & adapter to photograph it.
Click to expand...

Looking through the eyepiece when its straight up shouldn't be difficult, but if you don't have a right angled view finder then you're going to have to get into some interesting yoga positions. The green laser trick helps quite a bit in that situation.

I think I got the exact same view finder you linked there, and it was totally worth it. The fact that it gives a "correct" image makes it much easier to star hop to what you want to look at.
 
LlamaParty said:
Looking through the eyepiece when its straight up shouldn't be difficult, but if you don't have a right angled view finder then you're going to have to get into some interesting yoga positions. The green laser trick helps quite a bit in that situation.

I think I got the exact same view finder you linked there, and it was totally worth it. The fact that it gives a "correct" image makes it much easier to star hop to what you want to look at.
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Thanks- got a straight viewfinder that came with the scope - full yoga. :ROFL: :ROFL:
 
eye_suc said:
Before you go splurging on more goodies, I think it would in your best interest to make contact with a guy from the ASSA Cape Center. He has loads and loads of 2nd hand goodies: scopes, finder scopes, filters, eyepieces, you name it. I have spent too much money already at his house, but he always has something. I bought my 11" Celestron CPC 1100 from him.

He stays in Somerset West, but he can ship to you anywhere in the country (or world, he often ships overseas as well). Technopro, Eridanus and the other shops in RSA often contact him for stuff when they don't have.

Would you like to give him a call?
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Awesome, please please share the email address/number via PM. Thank you.
 
Yeah agreed, I wouldn't splurge just yet. Jupiter moves around in the sky. It's only very occasionally that what I have wanted to observe has been directly over head, so I'd imagine that it would so rarely be a problem as not to warrant spending money on it.

A right-angled finder would probably be useful though, in many occasions, so that I think is justified (though some members of ASSA Pretoria talk about pointing using your left ear! ;-)
 
So, I have been looking for T-mount & T-adapter for Nikon DSLR and found that all the "reputable" shops have huge mark-ups on many products. For example, they get this specific combo for about 200 rands from sellers in China and are selling it for 700-1500 rands. Not what I expected. :rolleyes:
 
surface said:
So, I have been looking for T-mount & T-adapter for Nikon DSLR and found that all the "reputable" shops have huge mark-ups on many products. For example, they get this specific combo for about 200 rands from sellers in China and are selling it for 700-1500 rands. Not what I expected. :rolleyes:
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Yeah, that's why I bought mine in the US while I was there. They're quite affordable on Amazon as far as I recall.
 
newby_investor said:
Yeah, that's why I bought mine in the US while I was there. They're quite affordable on Amazon as far as I recall.
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I suspect in SA, there can't be much market for telescopes & accessories (compared to US I mean). Local sellers probably have to hold on to stock for years before someone buys it perhaps?
 
surface said:
I suspect in SA, there can't be much market for telescopes & accessories (compared to US I mean). Local sellers probably have to hold on to stock for years before someone buys it perhaps?
Click to expand...

Not only that there's rent, staff, insurance etc local suppliers have to pay.
 
surface said:
So, I have been looking for T-mount & T-adapter for Nikon DSLR and found that all the "reputable" shops have huge mark-ups on many products. For example, they get this specific combo for about 200 rands from sellers in China and are selling it for 700-1500 rands. Not what I expected. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Celestron T mount adapter for Nikon F mount R449 at Takelot.
 
@ surface , had some time to kill and did a little google fu

this is a good option and price , its a set so you dont have to buy each piece seperately.

Amazon.com : SVBONY T Adapter 1.25 inches and T2 T Ring Adapter Compatible for Any Standard Nikon Lens and Telescope Microscope Metal : Home & Kitchen

Amazon.com : SVBONY T Adapter 1.25 inches and T2 T Ring Adapter Compatible for Any Standard Nikon Lens and Telescope Microscope Metal : Home & Kitchen
www.amazon.com

If you are worried about the brand , it appears they are quite well established in the astronomy field


Eye piece review of Sybony set about half way down page
nineplanets.org

Best Telescope Eyepieces in 2020 | Guide & Reviews

... Read more
nineplanets.org nineplanets.org

There is also the Gosky , although slightly more expensive, also a player , they do spotting scopes and adaptors.



Dont always think that if it isnt Celestron or Meade or Skywatcher etc that its not worth it or of comparable quality.
 
So I have decided to check out the local amateur telescope making class. I have very little knowledge in this field, but it seems interesting.

Will probably go there in about 3 weeks time, as its the first opportunity.
 
AntennaMan said:
So I have decided to check out the local amateur telescope making class. I have very little knowledge in this field, but it seems interesting.

Will probably go there in about 3 weeks time, as its the first opportunity.
Click to expand...
Is that the club in Jo'burg? Hope it goes well!
 
If anyone is interested I have the Celestron 1.25" eyepiece kit, same as the picture from Nanfeishen in the hard case, I sold my telescope so can't use them anymore. If anyone is interested and makes me a decent offer (I see they are around R6-R7k on takealot / web etc) then I will consider selling it. I live in JHB.
 
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