Guidance for an Amazing Hobby
Patrick 
Manufacturer: William Optics Price: $898 I acknowledge your curiosity about the William Optics RedCat 51. It’s not just a telescope; for many, it’s a gateway to the cosmos. William Optics, a respected name in the realm of astronomy equipment, has crafted a piece that’s garnered attention for good reasons: introducing the newly redesigned RedCat 51. … Read more
When I first encountered the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi, my interest as an amateur astronomer peaked. Sky-Watcher has built a reputation for creating products that not only foster a growing community of night sky enthusiasts but also push the envelope in terms of quality and innovation. This particular model, the Star Adventurer GTi, strikes an … Read more
With solar eclipses, most people (rightfully so) are focused on the mechanics of this event. As interesting as those events are, most people don’t think about the fact that solar eclipses are usually followed or preceded by a corresponding lunar eclipse separated by 2 weeks. The reason for this is that when the moon passes … Read more
I have always been fascinated by the dance of celestial bodies, and nothing quite captures the imagination like a solar eclipse. For those who haven’t seen one, I highly recommend seeing one in your lifetime. If this is your first time, don’t bother with photography. Just enjoy the show. But for those who are set … Read more
Price: $2499 A few decades ago, Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) had a great idea to solve some of the problems of autoguiding, namely having to use an off-axis guider or a separate piggy-backed telescope with its own camera. Each of these methods had their own problems: finding a suitable guide star in the case … Read more
What’s in the Sky Tonight -Early Spring Northern Hemisphere The following are interesting objects that are perfect for capturing in the early spring in the Northern Hemisphere. They must be large enough and bright enough to be doable even from light polluted skies for beginners. They must also be high enough in the sky for … Read more
Price $2960 Intro: This mount is named after the Greek goddess of the night, Nyx. It is a new model utilizing strain wave technology. This mount type allows a larger capacity than similar equatorial mounts without needing a counterweight. Even larger capacities are possible with optional counterweights. Another advantage of strain wave (or harmonic) mounts … Read more
If you’ve ever gazed up at the night sky and yearned for a closer look at its wonders, you’re in for a treat. Astronomy, a time-honored hobby that has captivated humans for millennia, is now embracing modern technology in a way that’s revolutionizing the field. I’m talking about the advent of smart telescopes. This isn’t … Read more
Price: $4399 I’ve got an eye on the skies, and so do many amateurs and seasoned stargazers alike. Among the array of telescopes that promise to bridge the gap between Earth and the cosmos, the Askar 151phq has stirred some genuine excitement. Why the buzz? This model isn’t just another telescope. It’s designed with the … Read more
In a perfect astrophotography world, we would live in the modern world, but with one exception: nighttime lighting would be minimal or nonexistent. Although that scenario is not realistic, we can achieve something similar. There are a variety of optical filters that do a fine job of filtering out the wavelengths of common lighting fixtures … Read more