Calling any Astrophotographers

u8myufo

u8myufo

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Rich
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Looking for a little advice really. My father has one of these Telescopes http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=dobsonian+telescope&hl=en&safe=off&gbv=2&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1680&bih=904&wrapid=tlif132965091933510&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=10606073960275148814&sa=X&ei=4NxAT_CrCeis0QXvkKWPDw&ved=0CIMBEPMCMAc# and he uses it less and less nowadays. At some point he is going to let me have it, so I was wondering what the best method would be for having a go at some night sky work. I am guessing price wise to keep it as cheap as possible that buying just a small used compact plus any adapter stuff would do the job. Will it be possible to achieve some semi decent results with just that or will it need for some kind of tracking gizmo and computer software as well. Completely clueless at the moment but once I have an idea of what I do need then it makes it easier for me to narrow products and prices down to suit.
 
I waited a litle while for any real expert to answer you as I am just a beginner too.

The best advice I can give would be to go along to your local Astronomical Society, there is bound to be someone there who has been there and done it. The Bath society has free viewing evenings according to their web page,

http://www.bathastronomers.co.uk/?page_id=2

You can get an adaptor ring for your Canon to mount it on the telescope but you will need to track the subject if using long exposures or you will just get a streak of light. There is a lot of free software available, Stellarium is useful for telling what is in the sky at any one time and can control a motorised telescope. If you use the video facility on your camera then there is a programme called Registax which will produce an enhanced single image from an .avi file. Some cheap webcams, like the Phillips 900 use a CCD type of sensor which is quite good at this and a 30 second video can give a surprisingly clear picture of Jupiter for example. Deep space objects such as nebulae or other galaxies are a whole other ball game.

Your local Astronomers will, I'm sure, help you out and show off some results and techniques before you buy any kit. I subscribe to "Sky at Night" magazine which also has useful articles and some great photo's to inspire you.

Good luck :)

Alan
 
Yeah' I'm not expert either but I don't think the dobsonian's are that great for imaging, (great scope for viewing though, wish someone would give me one :) ) As said by Alan, you can get the adapter to attach the camera to the telescope

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adaptors/t-rings.html
http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adaptors/flo-125-inch-t-mount-camera-adapter.html
You might need the 2" t mount, not sure what size the eyepiece is on that scope.

You'll be able to get decent moon shots with that. Most planetry stuff is done by webcams, as Alan also said.
 
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Cheers for the input Guy`s :thumbs: Will do a bit more research when the time comes.
 
Be warned - Astro Imaging has the capability to make you loose all of your sleep and empty your bank account. It is the optical equivalent of a Class A Substance.
 
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