Celestron Nexstar 130SLT

sarentack · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 2

I bought this telescope about a year ago, its really nice scope to have and all, but I like power, and then I seen this http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/dobsonian-telescopes/8inchdobsonianreflectortelescope.cfm

which has a 1200MM focal length compared to the 650MM one the Celestron has.

Would it be wise to trade in my SLT for the Dobsonian?

pretty soon I will try to start photographing or try to photograph stars, planets, and such and thought I need better power.

Thoughts?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5022

Hi

For astrophootgraphy, you need a motorized moujnt and you will not get that in a Dobsonian. Your SLT is a better choice, there.

In terms of performance, the key is aperture - size of lens or mirror. Has very little to do, directly, with focal length. In terms of performance, then, the Dob is the better choice for seeing to more objects and more detail.
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sarentack · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 2

So whats the best scope to use astrophotography? Should I just stick with the SLT and buy the needed acessories for it?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5022

Hi

The best scope for astrophotography will have equatorial, motorized tracking ability. You will NOT get this on the SLT and there is no accessory that you can add to get this feature. You can take short exposures of bright objects with the SLT, such as the moon and planets, but not the long exposures needed for high magnification shots or deep-sky objects. Images will be blurred at the edge of the field without equatorial tracking capability. The minimum Nexstar I usually recommend for astrophography is the Celestron Nexstar 4 SE which has a built-in wedge for equatorial tracking.

Adapters will depend on the scope used, as well as the camera used, but you must use an SLR camera - camera with removable lenses - or a CCD imager. Digital point and shoots are NOT suitable for astrophotography.

For the basics on astrophotography, see my short article,
Astrophotography in a nutshell

For more information on the basics of telescopes, see my article
How to choose the right telescope
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