Greetings, fellow stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts! Are you curious about the journey of two amateur astronomers who started with modest equipment but ventured into the captivating realm of astrophotography? Join us as we unveil the evolution of our stargazing arsenal, from trusty binoculars to small capable telescopes.

Our Humble Beginnings: Celestron Binoculars

Our astronomical escapade commenced with the trusty 10x50 Celestron 'Up Close' binoculars. Despite not being top-tier, these binoculars served us faithfully, allowing us to scout celestial targets and indulge in visual observations. They were the perfect gateway to our celestial exploration, paving the way for bigger endeavors.

Venturing into Astrophotography: Skywatcher Telescopes

Eager to delve into capturing nebulae and galaxies, we quickly transitioned to more specialised equipment. Our current go-to instruments for wide field astrophotography are the Skywatcher Evoguide 50ED and Evolux 62ED telescopes. These compact refractors serve dual purposes – acting as guidescopes and wide-field imaging tools. Their affordability, low maintenance, ED glass elements, and lightweight design make them ideal for amateur widefield astrophotographers.

The Equatorial Mount Upgrade

In order to improve our stargazing experience, we added computerised goto capabilities to our entry-level Skywatcher EQ3-2 equatorial mount using 'On-Step', which also included belt-controlled axis. This enhancement optimised our tracking and alignment procedures, making it simpler and quicker to locate objects, resulting in smoother astrophotography sessions and reducing the burden on the mount's load capacity.

Planetary Observations: Bushnell Northstar 90mm Telescope

While our primary focus lies in nebulae and galaxies, we haven't neglected the splendor of our solar system. For lunar and planetary observations, we rely on an old donated (thanks dad!) Bushnell Northstar 90mm Maksutov Cassegrain telescope, akin to the Celestron C90. With its longer focal length and f/13 ratio, this telescope offers remarkable small scale and contrasty views of planets and the moon.

Future Plans and Explorations

As we venture deeper into our astronomical endeavors, we have our sights set on expanding our equipment roster. Future acquisitions may include larger Maksutov and ED refractor telescopes, catering to our evolving needs and astronomical pursuits. Stay tuned for detailed reviews of our existing equipment and our exciting future additions!

Embrace the cosmos with us and witness the wonders of the universe through our amateur astronomy setup. Clear skies await as we embark on celestial adventures with our humble yet powerful telescopic companions.

Explore the stars, chase galaxies, and capture the essence of the cosmos – all through the lens of our amateur astronomy journey. Let's gaze beyond the horizon and uncover the mysteries of the universe together.

Clear Skies and Happy Stargazing! 🌌🔭