Regarding the last answer, I also want an observatory. I put the idea on the back-burner for a while but after an unexpected burst of rain two nights ago, the idea is back on the table. Some of my favorite ideas (aside from one of the dome products) includes one that looks like a large mailbox atop a pier; basically a big hinged door with everything already mounted within. The other option I liked was the use of a Rubbermaid plastic shed configured to have the a removable roof. Retro-fitting into swinging roof-door would be even better. Then of course there's the option to build a shed with a rolling roof for those who are more comfortable with carpetntry. Some even build the entire structure on wheels with a doorway that leaves clearance for a pier-mounted telescope. Lastly, I've seen scenearious where people used the smaller Rubbermaid outdoor storage containers. Similar to the plastic bin seen in the background for the majority of this video. One way to make something that isn't tall enough accomodate the whole rig is to set a custom parking position. Just some food for thought. Thanks for answering our questions and for the videos in general!
Quick update Stacey. Used your advice & answers on filter drawers from this video this week. Made great progress ! Shot M51 with and without Quadband filter. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us all!
No apologies necessary. Thanks for the good work. You made confinement a little more tolerable. It seems like a perpetual cloudy situation in my neck of the woods. Cheers from Bedford Texas.
Great information on your video Stace! Congratulations on coming so far, you really have become an astronomer. I have dispatched a crew to deal with the guy that said your wonderful pier (remember the pier war?) was made of bricks... I just saw you doing a guest appearance on my favourite 'guy', Astrobiscuit - Wow, I knew her when. Yep, I hope you get your observatory, I highly recommend building one with your own two hands - ahhhh no, I don't!!!! But I have and I am glad it is done. Please ask Nick at Altair about Wayne Parker's SkySheds if you can swing a hammer or like me power screwdriver everything. They don't use hammers anymore, just those goddamn weapons that are terrifying to old guys like me. Or you can just buy Wayne's POD which is pretty, pretty cool. Anyway, fantastic work Stacey.
I've said it before I think but if I haven't then I'll say it now Young Lady you are such an inspiration. I've got some of the most exspesive gear you can but and not a clue how to use it, Honestly my mount is a CEM 120 EC2 my largest scope is a Celesteron 11" then a William Optics FLT 132, A Lunt 80HA double stacked I find it easier to setup during the day that doing it all at dusk but HA Solar and CaK really interest me but the sun is is quiet at the moment it's not worth the time and energy to setup for flat boring images. Now I'm starting to rattle on so I'll stop. One last thing though I love watching your videos you make it look so easy and I've not found that at all. Stay safe xx
Great Video. Your honest opinions are definitely inspirational. I'm liking the way you say "Astro Pixel Processor" in your English accent so I continue to watch. Your direct responses to questions are right to the point which is more a reason for me to watch. I bought APP based on your recommendation and I never buy subscription software. I'm just learning an Astro cam. I have ZWO533 and ZWO183 and hope to get some images after being a DSLR user for many years. I bought the LP-Pro filters also based on your reviews. Hard to get these here in the USA. I have much light pollution over Boston, Mass and value your insights. Keep up the great videos. Being in a Pandemic, outside with the stars is the safest place to be.
Hello Stacey from Wales, I have been meaning to thank you for your excellent video on building a concrete mount. I followed your instructions and constructed the same design block base and fitted an Altair Astro adaptor atop to provide a semi-permanent home for my HEQ5pro. This set up has transformed my astrophotography and dramatically reduced my setup time, my enjoyment of practical amateur astro has been increased hugely and I now try to make the most of the dark skies we enjoy here in Mid Wales. You are a inspiration! If ever you are over in "The Green Desert" of Montgomeryshire a coffee and some of my wife's cake are waiting for you. Thanks again.
Hi Stacey Thanks for taking the time to record this. Great spread of topics & practical answers. Really appreciate you sharing your experience with us. Loved the filter drawer piece 😎. Many thanks, from a cloudless peak district.
Hi Stacey, Thanks for giving us a chance to spend a little time with you on that video. It is great to see you outside in the sun in your backyard answering all of these questions in that time of confinement for all of us. Clear skies to you from Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada. David.
Thank you, Stacey, for this, as a beginner some of your answers really helped (I'm looking for my first mount, for example). As you say, things are stressful here, especially for key workers (especially NHS). Keep yourself safe and I look forward to more videos when you have the time.
Glad to see you back, Stace. I'm glad you're doing okay, I know you're working hard, and I wish health and safety to you in this really rotten times. Keep Luna safe, too. Okay, couple of comments. For Quentin, a Star Tracker from SkyWatcher or iOptron are both nice products for portability and light weight. Peter Zelinka(sp) here on RUclips uses one with a RedCat, and now, even a dedicated camera. I've asked why he hasn't upgraded, and his response is that he is constantly traveling, and it is small and easy to store in his car. Acceptable answer. But, in the U.S., if you want an iOptron SkyGuider Pro with the iPolar device, is about $600. Then you have to buy the tripod, which for a good one is a couple of hundred dollars. Then, if you decide to add the William Optics add-ons, that's a couple of hundred dollars more. So, even without the iPolar, you still might be well over $600USD. Not sure what the exchange rate of dollars to pounds is right now (I could look it up), but I think if you're going to spend that kind of money, you should get something that's worth while. Not too expensive, but high quality entry level, and for that, I like the Explore Scientific EXOS2 PMC8 system. www.telescopehouse.com/bresser-exos-2-pmc-eight-goto-mount.html For under 600 GBP, you get a 28 pound photographic load, a 40 pound visual load, stepper motors, an 8 core CPU unit, wireless connectivity to Windows, Android and iPad apps with the Explore Stars app. Check out Scott Roberts and one of his employees loading the mount down. They have like 84 pounds of scope, extra weights, and counterweights in this video, and then thing still runs great. Of course, I wouldn't recommend this for imaging with that kind of load, but at the 28 pounds imaging weight, you're going to have some pretty good results. facebook.com/watch/?v=2411231452439818 Maybe I didn't hear it, but what did Quentin want to DO with his telescope? Was he strictly visual, or what he looking to get into astro imaging? That would certainly have a lot of bearing on my reply to him. If Quentin wants to do astro imaging, I would suggest the Altair Starwave 70. For a bit under 500 GBP, it really isn't that bad of a deal. That also includes a 1.0x Flattener. www.altairastro.com/altair-starwave-70ed-v2-telescope-464-p.asp For an additional 125 pounds or so, the EDF 72 with FPL-53 glass doublet and a focuser made for astrophotography would be my next choice. About 600 Pounds www.altairastro.com/altair-72-edf-refractor-with-cnc-dual-speed-rp-focuser-optical-test-report-451-p.asp Something else, below I addressed find your target. With Quentin's SkyGuider Pro, the payload is limited to 5kg. The problem is that the 72EDF refractor also weighs in a 5kg. So, no adding a camera, guide scope, guide camera or anything else. You've basically maxed out the SkyGuider. I also want to talk about Refractors versus Newts. The Newts are far less expensive because of the mirrors instead of glass, but you have to deal with coma, collimation, and having the correct focuser, since many Newt focusers aren't designed for imaging. Then, you have to get a guide scope, guide camera, diagonal, a variety of eyepieces for those quick visual peeks, and finally, you're camera. When I started into this hobby several years ago, I was told that an ENTRY LEVEL imaging rig would cost me $3,000 USD. Today, I would up that to $4,500. It can EASILY top $10,000! Like so many other companies, Altair Astro simply puts their name on stuff they have built for them. I don't know who builds their telescopes or their cameras, but they always seem to get high reviews. I also agree that a high-quality ED or what they call an APO Doublet can be better than a mediocre triplet. I DO like that 269 Hypercam you reviewed, though. I think it goes head to head with the ZWO ASI071 in terms of noise, or lack thereof. If I was in a position right now, I'd be hard-pressed to make a decision on which one, since I can't find another company using that Sony sensor right now. I also like how Altair Astro has humungous onboard RAM buffers. Quentin's other question about how to find your target can be answered pretty easily. Almost everyone now has a smartphone, and both Stellarium and Cartes de Ceil, as well as Sky Safari, can be purchased for not much money. It should be rather easy to mount the phone to the SkyGuider and then follow the prompts on screen to get to your target. A 300mm lens is going to cover a LOT of sky. Not sure exactly which 24-300 you have, but taking a Sigma lens, it has a 62mm aperture and is f/6.3 when zoomed all the way in. That 300mm lens, according to Stellarium, should give you a very nice view of The Andromeda Galaxy, as well as the North America Nebula, the Heart and Soul Nebulae, and the larger stuff, but as you want to work towards the smaller stuff, a larger telescope, something in the 1,000mm range is going to be necessary. As stated above, the SkyGuider Pro has a max payload of 5kg, and the 72EDF alone weighs in at 5kg. At this point, SkyGuider would be great to continue with a camera and nice lens, but the idea of a larger, motor-driven, preferably computer-controlled mount is very appealing. By the way, we ALL want an Observatory. Even Dylan has updated his NexDome/SkyPod contraption. But, a good dome, with motor control, shutter control, computer system, etc., with really no room to stand up in it (think a 2m dome) is still several thousand pounds. Get a VERY nice 150mm triplet APO, even Flourite glass, for that kind of money. Still, we all can dream. Very happy to see you back, and I hope you do more of these kinds of videos. One of these days, you're going to have to do a live stream! Take care, Stace, be safe, be healthy, and give Luna some skritches behind her ears for me, okay?
Thanks for including my question. I am hoping I never have a need to colomate my refractors. Sounds like I shouldnt need to. Love the concrete block pier. Its a great idea!
g`day stace great video good info and good to see you doing videos again looking forward to your galaxy season efforts.. may your skies be clear and your neighbours outside lights be broken cheers james D
I watched a video many years ago about backyard observatory. This person on the video paid to built your observatory with a roof that it moves horizontally and your reason to not use a dome is that he could not install more than one telescope with its respectively mount (or in this case, built two columns). He's right, but he had money to did that xD
Dear Stacie: Thank you for your channel and the information you provide. Have you ever had the occasion to use Sky x Pro for your astronomy / imaging needs?? If so what is your opinion?? Thank you against n
Regarding the last answer, I also want an observatory. I put the idea on the back-burner for a while but after an unexpected burst of rain two nights ago, the idea is back on the table.
Some of my favorite ideas (aside from one of the dome products) includes one that looks like a large mailbox atop a pier; basically a big hinged door with everything already mounted within. The other option I liked was the use of a Rubbermaid plastic shed configured to have the a removable roof. Retro-fitting into swinging roof-door would be even better. Then of course there's the option to build a shed with a rolling roof for those who are more comfortable with carpetntry. Some even build the entire structure on wheels with a doorway that leaves clearance for a pier-mounted telescope.
Lastly, I've seen scenearious where people used the smaller Rubbermaid outdoor storage containers. Similar to the plastic bin seen in the background for the majority of this video. One way to make something that isn't tall enough accomodate the whole rig is to set a custom parking position. Just some food for thought.
Thanks for answering our questions and for the videos in general!
Hello from Russia. Glad to see smart girl. Thumb up and subscribed.
Quick update Stacey. Used your advice & answers on filter drawers from this video this week. Made great progress ! Shot M51 with and without Quadband filter.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us all!
No apologies necessary. Thanks for the good work. You made confinement a little more tolerable. It seems like a perpetual cloudy situation in my neck of the woods. Cheers from Bedford Texas.
Thanks Barry! Glad I could help a bit! Take care and stay safe!
@@AstroStace You and Luna be safe as well.
Great information on your video Stace! Congratulations on coming so far, you really have become an astronomer. I have dispatched a crew to deal with the guy that said your wonderful pier (remember the pier war?) was made of bricks... I just saw you doing a guest appearance on my favourite 'guy', Astrobiscuit - Wow, I knew her when. Yep, I hope you get your observatory, I highly recommend building one with your own two hands - ahhhh no, I don't!!!! But I have and I am glad it is done. Please ask Nick at Altair about Wayne Parker's SkySheds if you can swing a hammer or like me power screwdriver everything. They don't use hammers anymore, just those goddamn weapons that are terrifying to old guys like me. Or you can just buy Wayne's POD which is pretty, pretty cool. Anyway, fantastic work Stacey.
I've said it before I think but if I haven't then I'll say it now Young Lady you are such an inspiration. I've got some of the most exspesive gear you can but and not a clue how to use it, Honestly my mount is a CEM 120 EC2 my largest scope is a Celesteron 11" then a William Optics FLT 132, A Lunt 80HA double stacked I find it easier to setup during the day that doing it all at dusk but HA Solar and CaK really interest me but the sun is is quiet at the moment it's not worth the time and energy to setup for flat boring images. Now I'm starting to rattle on so I'll stop. One last thing though I love watching your videos you make it look so easy and I've not found that at all. Stay safe xx
Thanks so much Stuart! It’s so lovely to get comments like this :) I just like to help people. All the best and take care!
Thumbs up for Altair. Very good company, never had any issues with the equipment or the company.
Definitely agree :) they’ve been very good to me . Take care!
Great Video. Your honest opinions are definitely inspirational. I'm liking the way you say "Astro Pixel Processor" in your English accent so I continue to watch. Your direct responses to questions are right to the point which is more a reason for me to watch. I bought APP based on your recommendation and I never buy subscription software. I'm just learning an Astro cam. I have ZWO533 and ZWO183 and hope to get some images after being a DSLR user for many years. I bought the LP-Pro filters also based on your reviews. Hard to get these here in the USA. I have much light pollution over Boston, Mass and value your insights. Keep up the great videos. Being in a Pandemic, outside with the stars is the safest place to be.
Hello Stacey from Wales, I have been meaning to thank you for your excellent video on building a concrete mount. I followed your instructions and constructed the same design block base and fitted an Altair Astro adaptor atop to provide a semi-permanent home for my HEQ5pro. This set up has transformed my astrophotography and dramatically reduced my setup time, my enjoyment of practical amateur astro has been increased hugely and I now try to make the most of the dark skies we enjoy here in Mid Wales. You are a inspiration! If ever you are over in "The Green Desert" of Montgomeryshire a coffee and some of my wife's cake are waiting for you. Thanks again.
Thank you Nick! It’s so nice to get comments like this! All the best :) take care
Hi Stacey
Thanks for taking the time to record this. Great spread of topics & practical answers. Really appreciate you sharing your experience with us. Loved the filter drawer piece 😎.
Many thanks, from a cloudless peak district.
Glad you found it useful Francis! Let me know if you need any more help :) take care!
Hi Stacey,
Thanks for giving us a chance to spend a little time with you on that video. It is great to see you outside in the sun in your backyard answering all of these questions in that time of confinement for all of us. Clear skies to you from Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada.
David.
Thank you David :) glad I could help, even if it’s just in a little way :) take care!
Thank you, Stacey, for this, as a beginner some of your answers really helped (I'm looking for my first mount, for example). As you say, things are stressful here, especially for key workers (especially NHS). Keep yourself safe and I look forward to more videos when you have the time.
Glad you found the video useful Mark :) take care!
Mark greatest respect for you guys on the front line of this thing virus going round so be careful.
Glad to see you back, Stace. I'm glad you're doing okay, I know you're working hard, and I wish health and safety to you in this really rotten times. Keep Luna safe, too.
Okay, couple of comments.
For Quentin, a Star Tracker from SkyWatcher or iOptron are both nice products for portability and light weight. Peter Zelinka(sp) here on RUclips uses one with a RedCat, and now, even a dedicated camera. I've asked why he hasn't upgraded, and his response is that he is constantly traveling, and it is small and easy to store in his car. Acceptable answer.
But, in the U.S., if you want an iOptron SkyGuider Pro with the iPolar device, is about $600. Then you have to buy the tripod, which for a good one is a couple of hundred dollars. Then, if you decide to add the William Optics add-ons, that's a couple of hundred dollars more. So, even without the iPolar, you still might be well over $600USD.
Not sure what the exchange rate of dollars to pounds is right now (I could look it up), but I think if you're going to spend that kind of money, you should get something that's worth while. Not too expensive, but high quality entry level, and for that, I like the Explore Scientific EXOS2 PMC8 system.
www.telescopehouse.com/bresser-exos-2-pmc-eight-goto-mount.html
For under 600 GBP, you get a 28 pound photographic load, a 40 pound visual load, stepper motors, an 8 core CPU unit, wireless connectivity to Windows, Android and iPad apps with the Explore Stars app.
Check out Scott Roberts and one of his employees loading the mount down. They have like 84 pounds of scope, extra weights, and counterweights in this video, and then thing still runs great. Of course, I wouldn't recommend this for imaging with that kind of load, but at the 28 pounds imaging weight, you're going to have some pretty good results.
facebook.com/watch/?v=2411231452439818
Maybe I didn't hear it, but what did Quentin want to DO with his telescope? Was he strictly visual, or what he looking to get into astro imaging? That would certainly have a lot of bearing on my reply to him.
If Quentin wants to do astro imaging, I would suggest the Altair Starwave 70. For a bit under 500 GBP, it really isn't that bad of a deal. That also includes a 1.0x Flattener.
www.altairastro.com/altair-starwave-70ed-v2-telescope-464-p.asp
For an additional 125 pounds or so, the EDF 72 with FPL-53 glass doublet and a focuser made for astrophotography would be my next choice.
About 600 Pounds
www.altairastro.com/altair-72-edf-refractor-with-cnc-dual-speed-rp-focuser-optical-test-report-451-p.asp
Something else, below I addressed find your target. With Quentin's SkyGuider Pro, the payload is limited to 5kg. The problem is that the 72EDF refractor also weighs in a 5kg. So, no adding a camera, guide scope, guide camera or anything else. You've basically maxed out the SkyGuider.
I also want to talk about Refractors versus Newts. The Newts are far less expensive because of the mirrors instead of glass, but you have to deal with coma, collimation, and having the correct focuser, since many Newt focusers aren't designed for imaging.
Then, you have to get a guide scope, guide camera, diagonal, a variety of eyepieces for those quick visual peeks, and finally, you're camera.
When I started into this hobby several years ago, I was told that an ENTRY LEVEL imaging rig would cost me $3,000 USD. Today, I would up that to $4,500. It can EASILY top $10,000!
Like so many other companies, Altair Astro simply puts their name on stuff they have built for them. I don't know who builds their telescopes or their cameras, but they always seem to get high reviews. I also agree that a high-quality ED or what they call an APO Doublet can be better than a mediocre triplet. I DO like that 269 Hypercam you reviewed, though. I think it goes head to head with the ZWO ASI071 in terms of noise, or lack thereof. If I was in a position right now, I'd be hard-pressed to make a decision on which one, since I can't find another company using that Sony sensor right now. I also like how Altair Astro has humungous onboard RAM buffers.
Quentin's other question about how to find your target can be answered pretty easily. Almost everyone now has a smartphone, and both Stellarium and Cartes de Ceil, as well as Sky Safari, can be purchased for not much money. It should be rather easy to mount the phone to the SkyGuider and then follow the prompts on screen to get to your target. A 300mm lens is going to cover a LOT of sky. Not sure exactly which 24-300 you have, but taking a Sigma lens, it has a 62mm aperture and is f/6.3 when zoomed all the way in. That 300mm lens, according to Stellarium, should give you a very nice view of The Andromeda Galaxy, as well as the North America Nebula, the Heart and Soul Nebulae, and the larger stuff, but as you want to work towards the smaller stuff, a larger telescope, something in the 1,000mm range is going to be necessary. As stated above, the SkyGuider Pro has a max payload of 5kg, and the 72EDF alone weighs in at 5kg. At this point, SkyGuider would be great to continue with a camera and nice lens, but the idea of a larger, motor-driven, preferably computer-controlled mount is very appealing.
By the way, we ALL want an Observatory. Even Dylan has updated his NexDome/SkyPod contraption. But, a good dome, with motor control, shutter control, computer system, etc., with really no room to stand up in it (think a 2m dome) is still several thousand pounds. Get a VERY nice 150mm triplet APO, even Flourite glass, for that kind of money. Still, we all can dream.
Very happy to see you back, and I hope you do more of these kinds of videos. One of these days, you're going to have to do a live stream!
Take care, Stace, be safe, be healthy, and give Luna some skritches behind her ears for me, okay?
Wonderful video Stace! Thank you so much for your time and effort into this!
Thanks for including my question. I am hoping I never have a need to colomate my refractors. Sounds like I shouldnt need to. Love the concrete block pier. Its a great idea!
Hello from the South-West of France! I used to like in Birmingham a loooong time ago.... Great info as usual. Take care.
Great to see you again Stacey! Keep up the awesome work and stay safe. :)
Thanks Helena! You too, take care and stay safe!
g`day stace great video good info and good to see you doing videos again looking forward to your galaxy season efforts.. may your skies be clear and your neighbours outside lights be broken
cheers
james D
Hi Stace, thanks for the answer! Do appreciate it! APP seems to be really powerful! Btw the pronunciation was spot on!
Great video, as usual! Keep up the good work.
I watched a video many years ago about backyard observatory. This person on the video paid to built your observatory with a roof that it moves horizontally and your reason to not use a dome is that he could not install more than one telescope with its respectively mount (or in this case, built two columns). He's right, but he had money to did that xD
Nice one Stacey!
Dear Stacie:
Thank you for your channel and the information you provide. Have you ever had the occasion to use Sky x Pro for your astronomy / imaging needs?? If so what is your opinion?? Thank you against n
Love your videos, keep them coming and stay safe, i know i will (and upload some more videos i hope 😂)
Hi .looking into getting a light pollution filter maybe a 2 inch screw in .will those fit the Altair flattener 0.8x .Thx ! Keep up the good work !!
Hi Darren! Yes! I used to use 2inch filters with my Altair lightwave 0.8x flattener reducer :)