Telescopes?

[Dr. Zaius]

I just upgraded from a Meade ETX-90 (great little scope btw) to a Celestron Nexstar 6SE.

Should be a massive increase in light gathering ability going from a 90mm objective to a 150mm objective.

It is also a Schmidt-Cassegrain vs the Maksutov-Cassegrain of the ETX-90 so I'm curious to see what the differences are in my usual observations.

I'm not sure if I'm going to keep or sell the Meade just yet. It's far more portable. I guess it depends on how much better the 6SE is.

Now if I can just give me a clear night to test it out.

Anyone else into (very) amateur astronomy?

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[machinist85]

That looks expensive. I always wanted to get a telescope but I keep spending money on car stuff.

 

[Dereku]

Impressive i have a very cheap one myself. Haven’t had the time to go and look up lately. Need to add that to the list.

 

[Trigganometry]

I own a classic Meade 7-inch (178 mm) f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope. Have had it for about 25 years now. I’m also the one that designed and sold the Genesis CCD camera in the US back in 2000’s. That got me a consulting gig with NASA for 2 years while the star tracker satellite system was developed. Was also the one and only worldwide distributor for single or low quantity Kodak scientific imaging sensors for about 5 years.

Light pollution up my way is so bad now haven’t set mine up for at least 5 years. Plan was when I retired moving to the Great Smokey mountains and setting it up. But now that’s all changed with star link clutter up there. That’s progress for you…

Nice to know others on here are into watching the heavens ?

 

[Dr. Zaius]

If you're thinking of getting a telescope, don't get a $200 cheapo that will leave you disappointed.

The pictures on the box may look great but your actual images will be fuzzy and tracking will be sketchy.

The FB marketplace is full of the catalog scopes that people bought and were then disappointed.

The Meade ETX-90 is a great little scope that can frequently be found on the marketplace for <$300 and is very worth it.

 

[Trigganometry]

If you're thinking of getting a telescope, don't get a $200 cheapo that will leave you disappointed.

The pictures on the box may look great but your actual images will be fuzzy and tracking will be sketchy.

The FB marketplace is full of the catalog scopes that people bought and were then disappointed.

The Meade ETX-90 is a great little scope that can frequently be found on the marketplace for <$300 and is very worth it.

When I have been asked that question for a starter telescope I would try and find a used Dobsonian scope with a few lenses. It will give you a great first experience without putting a ton of money into it. Easy to transport and quick setup too.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

When I have been asked that question for a starter telescope I would try and find a used Dobsonian scope with a few lenses. It will give you a great first experience without putting a ton of money into it. Easy to transport and quick setup too.

I've never tried a Dobsonian, but the bang for the buck can't be beat.

 

[Jason B]

Interesting. I always wonder what kind of pictures you can get with something like that. Could you see the rings of Saturn?

 

[brroberts]

I like looking at stuff. I don’t take my astronomy too seriously, but have been looking at stuff my whole life. I have a Skywatcher F/5 achromat, a Meade ETX RA 90, an Orion 10” inteliscope, and a Celestron C14. This stuff is from the early mid 90’s except the Orion is from the 2000’s. I have a homemade 12’ observatory dome, but currently I am repairing it.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Interesting. I always wonder what kind of pictures you can get with something like that. Could you see the rings of Saturn?

I can see the rings of Saturn with my ETX-90, but not clearly.

The 6SE is supposed to be able to see ring divisions

I have a phone adapter coming that I hope to be able to grab some pictures with.

 

[Trigganometry]

Interesting. I always wonder what kind of pictures you can get with something like that. Could you see the rings of Saturn?

Depends on lenses you use and size of scope. You would see black and white pretty much. It would be faint all the same. Need to image with different filters and then layer the frames to see color.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

It looks like it's going to be mostly cloudy and thunderstorms here for at least the next week.

In the meantime, HERE is a link to a gallery of Meade ETX-90 images to get an idea of the scope's capabilities.

And here is a group of some images from a Nexstar 6SE

 

[Fawnbuster]

I bought a Celestron (notthe same model) last summer, then deer season came, then the holidays came, then winter came...it's still in the box. It was a great deal out of a NY camera shop, free shipping even. I need to find a dark lot to use it in, too much light pollution around here. The Badlands in SD are so dark at night that you cam even see some colors inside the milky way with the naked eye.

 

[Shoran12]

Yeah I’ve got a few. I’ll post them here if I get time after work today. I haven’t had time to test them recently since we moved and I just got them out of storage so praying they’re working as good as they were prior to our move. I’ll post details later.

 

[Shoran12]

Ok, took a few pics. I need to get back out and start viewing again. Been way too long.

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