What should I do?

[mazdaspeed]

My dad has a 10" telescope, I was wondering how to couple it to my xti and how much potential for good images it would have. This is well beyond the scope (pardon the pun) of my usual photography. I believe he also has a rotating timer base thing.

[Nighthound]

Welcome mazdaspeed. We can better suggest how to get you started if have more info about the telescope. I'm assuming you mean that the scope has tracking capability, which is great. But there are many different telescope designs and knowing the type/model/make will help with suggesting the right hardware for attaching your camera. You will need a EOS T-ring for your camera regardless of which type scope but beyond that we'll need more details.

[mazdaspeed]

Thanks I'll get more info tomorrow. You guys have taken some really cool pics and I figure I should try too since I have access to a very large scope.

It is very similar to this but not the same model.

http://www.celestron.com/c2/images/files/product/10110_starhopper10_mid.gif

[Adrena1in]

Ah, it's a shame (sort of) that it appears your dad has a 10" Newtonian Reflector...that's what scopes that look like that are called. They're not the best for imaging with, but that's not to say it's impossible. I started with a little 4.5" one, and never got more than A-Focal images through it. (That means holding a camera, with lens, up to the eyepiece of the telescope.) Prime photography didn't work, (connecting the camera straight to the scope. No eyepiece, no lens...the scope acts as a lens), because I was unable to achieve focus. The focal length on Newtonians, (i.e. the point where the image is formed), is very near where the eyepiece goes, and you don't tend to be able to get a digital SLR camera close enough. Webcams would probably work though I guess...will leave it to someone else to give you advice on that.

Either way, great scope, and I'm sure there's potential. Good luck.

[Nighthound]

Actually the photo you've posted is a Dobsonian reflector. This base/mount/scope configuration is a design by John Dobson.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dobson_(astronomer)

This design is available with tracking on higher priced models but this is not the best platform for long exposure work. Certainly Lunar shots and some planetary could be done but as A-1 mentioned bringing your DSLR to focus with the stock focuser will be difficult or impossible. If lack of inward travel is the problem then only by switching the focuser to a low profile unit(Moonlite or the like) will you be able to get the focal point to fall on the sensor. The only other way would be to move the primary mirror up the tube and I don't think you'll be doing that, I know I wouldn't. Attaching a point and shoot camera(if you have one) to the telescope eyepieces(afocal) is possible with the right hardware.

The focuser is just one of the most obvious obstacles. There are other challenges and great info/solutions to be found here on the subject:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=63,201,0,0,1,0

If you do get started, keep at it. Practice will bring improvement.

[calitaco]

Thanks I'll get more info tomorrow. You guys have taken some really cool pics and I figure I should try too since I have access to a very large scope.

It is very similar to this but not the same model.

http://www.celestron.com/c2/images/files/product/10110_starhopper10_mid.gif

My telescope is identical to this one but it doesn't have tracking capabilities. Does anyone know a cost effective way to add this feature to it? Is it possible? I'm a total noob at this.

Thanks!

[mazdaspeed]

Thanks for the input, I know what you guys mean about the image being projected into the eyepiece, I'll have to look into this more :)

[Nighthound]

My telescope is identical to this one but it doesn't have tracking capabilities. Does anyone know a cost effective way to add this feature to it? Is it possible? I'm a total noob at this.

Thanks!

There really isn't a way to inexpensively upgrade for this scope to make it capable of sidereal tracking. At such focal lengths tracking would have to be smooth and accurate and that equals expensive in this case. The size of the tube makes it difficult to adapt to a German equatorial mount. I'm not saying it can't be done, just not cheaply or easily. If you were using a camera and a lens I'd suggest looking into building a barn door tracker. A Barn Door would be a difficult and large scale adaptation for such a large optical tube at long focal length.

[calitaco]

Thanks for the info, Nighthound. I always had an interest in astrophotography but could never find the right time or funds. This forum really gets me going and one day I might just spring for a good set up. :)

[Nighthound]

Thanks for the info, Nighthound. I always had an interest in astrophotography but could never find the right time or funds. This forum really gets me going and one day I might just spring for a good set up. :)

You're very welcome. Stick around in the mean time and don't hesitate to ask questions. We're here to help and that way when you get your rig you'll be strides ahead.

[MacDogg]

It's possible with my XTi and my Orion 8" dob. I just need to get the stuff in focus.
http://www.macdogg.com/JAlbum/Moon-041408/album/slides/IMG_1433a.html
http://www.macdogg.com/JAlbum/Saturn/album/slides/33.html

Although these pics really suck, it is possible to do.

[Adrena1in]

Those pics don't suck at all, they're great.

Apologies for my mistake, I meant Dobsonian.