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My Best Moon Photos

My latest and more improved photos of the moon.

Orion Dobsonian Accessories

Check out some great accessories for the Orion XT8 Dobsonian!

Jupiter Flying Through Space #2

A second video I did of the great planet flying through its orbit!

Colors of Sirius 2

Most stars appear white, blue, yellow, or red in color when viewed in your telescope... while Sirius is rainbow!.

Showing posts with label orion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orion. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

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!

Monday, September 19, 2011

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!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

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]

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

Saturday, September 17, 2011

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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