Constellation Maps - Useful for Finding Objects in the Sky

I'm always looking for new things in the sky, and some constellations look the same as others so it's a bit hard to distinguish each if you're new to observing the sky. I recently went out to look for my first nebulae, so I had to study some constellations. I found the Lyra constellation with the help of some sky maps and ended up finding the Ring Nebula! I will post photos of it if I can capture it, the Ring Nebula is very dark. I haven't found any others yet since I am currently away from home and surrounded by trees and mosquitoes...

This is useful for locating using other constellations and NSEW directions.

This is useful for finding the Andromeda Galaxy.

This is useful for finding the Crab Nebula, Pleiades, ect.

This is good for finding the Orion Nebula, which should be pretty easy.

I used this to find the Ring Nebula. Vega is a pretty useful star.

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More Improved Photos of Jupiter

Jupiter is a planet that never gets old to look at. It's the biggest, brightest planet in the sky, so of course it's always an interesting target! Every night I have been going out to try improving my photos of Jupiter with just a cheap digital camera, and they are getting much better! I try many different angles and camera settings to try to get the sharpest details. Of course I enhance the photos just a bit to help see the details. I can't wait to get the video usb eyepiece to record and take perfect photos!

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Mercury - the Second Planet I've Found

I was up around 4:00am, the same time when I filmed Sirius, and decided to look at a "small red star" that came up behind the moon. I've never really thought about looking for Mercury since it's so small, but apparently I found it! It's not a bright planet at all, it's kinda faint, but it's still fun knowing you've found a planet!

It's very small, so it's a bit hard to see detail on this planet.

Mercury. [3x barlow, no filter]

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Using Basic Telescope Accessories

This post is to show beginners how to use basic viewing accessories for the Dobsonian XT8 such as the eyepiece, barlow lens, and eyepiece filter. It's common knowledge, but sometimes there can be confusion with something you're new to! I hope it's helpful!

This is where the filter goes. It wont attach to the main eyepiece, although it seems like it should. I've tried many times. So far, I can only attach it to my barlow lens. Make sure it's screwed on tight, if it's loose, it could fall off and onto the mirror inside the telescope and can break it!

This is where the eyepiece attaches to the barlow lens. The silver pegs on the side of the barlow hold the eyepiece tight into place when screwed in.

This is how the whole viewing piece will look once it's all put together. Now all you need to do is attach it into the telescope with the silver pegs to hold it in place! Remember, you don't need the barlow lens; if you don't have a barlow, just attach the eyepiece into the telescope itself!

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Sirius - The Prettiest Star to Catch on Film

I went outside early around 4:00am and looked up at the sky to see Sirius. I decided to take my telescope out for a nicer view, and ended up with a nice video of it! It's so beautiful! I also took 4 frames from the video to lay out an image of the star's pretty colors!

[Of course the telescope is a bit out of focus. When it's in perfect focus, the star is still a small dot, but color is still visible. When it's a bit out of focus, you can see the colors and movement better!]

[Four frames of Sirius from my video.]

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Improved Photos of Jupiter

Here is my second attempt at snapping photos of Jupiter and the moon, along with a blue star that looked interesting! I can't wait for a full moon and a nice 5x barlow lens and Orion StarShoot video eyepiece!

Jupiter much closer with better detail with great red spot! [3x barlow, no filter, zoomed camera]

Jupiter and Galilean moons. It's interesting to see the moons' positions change. [3x barlow, no filter]

Jupiter with moons. [3x barlow, no filter]

A hot blue star is what I am guessing this is. [3x barlow, no filter, slightly unclear zoom to see luminescence]

Half moon. [no barlow, no filter]

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Second Video of Jupiter Through my Telescope

Jupiter is a pretty hard planet to catch on video sometimes when it's zoomed in on. I failed to catch it 24 times due to the fact that it literally flew past my screen in about 0.5 seconds! There are times when it's "slower", i'm not exactly sure as to why it's lightning fast at times, then acceptably fast the next. Haha!

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Jupiter Going Its Orbit Through the Sky

This is my first video of Jupiter and the Galilean moons from my Dobsonian. I had no idea that it would move across the sky so quickly until I got a close-up view of it!

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First Photographs I Took of Space

These are the first good pictures I have taken with my digital camera and XT8 Dobsonian telescope. This telescope produces some very clear images, yet I have only used a cheap digital camera to take these photos. There is no need to have the camera hooked up to the telescope in any way, all you have to do is simple snap the pictures through the lens! Of course, a nice USB hookup will improve the images dramatically, especially of the planets since the camera distorts the image of far away objects.

Click the image for a larger view.

The moon and clouds. [No moon filter, no barlow]

The moon. [No moon filter, no barlow]

The moon. [Moon filter, 3x barlow]

The moon. [No moon filter, no barlow]

Jupiter and Galilean moons. [No moon filter, 3x barlow]

Jupiter in better detail. [No moon filter, 3x barlow]

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Accessories for My XT8 Dobsonian

These are the accessories I have purchased with my XT8 Dobsonian telescope; they work very well and without them, I couldn't get such great views of the moon's surface or Jupiter and the Galilean moons! Of course the 2 objects can be seen without all of the fancy accessories, but these will enhance the view.

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25mm Orion Sirius Plossl Telescope Eyepiece - $45.95
"The 25mm Sirius Plossl provides crisp views of many deep-sky objects such as nebulas and star clusters."

1.25" Orion 13% Transmission Moon Filter - $19.95
"The Orion 1.25" 13% Transmission Moon Filter reduces the glare so you can see more lunar detail and surface features with your telescope."

Orion Tri-Mag 1.25" 3x Barlow Lens - $55.95
"Delivers a 3x magnification boost to any 1.25" telescope eyepiece, greatly increasing your available viewing magnifications."

Orion EZ Finder II Telescope Reflex Sight - $39.95
"A small red LED dot is projected onto a non-magnifying viewing window so you can aim the telescope quickly and easily."

[The EZ Finder II with LED pointing.]

I give these accessories 5-stars in my opinion - they are great starter accessories and easy to use!
Once again, highly recommended.
You can purchase these accessories here: www.telescope.com

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My Orion XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope

I recently bought an Orion XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope. This telescope has some pretty good features, and I give it a 5-star rating! I absolutely love this telescope and am still figuring it out. It is a very highly recommended telescope for beginners who are serious about space viewing. This telescope costs $350.


-Best for viewing planets and the moon.
-Intermediate leveled telescope
-Reflector telescope
-Optical diameter is 203mm
-Focal length of 1200mm
-Focal ratio of f/5.9
-Magnification of 48x, maximum magnification to 300x
-EZ Finder II finder scope
-Secondary mirror obstruction of 47mm
-Size: 46.5"
-Fully assembled weight: 4l lbs
-2" focuser, 1.25" eyepiece

My beautiful XT8 Dobsonian

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