20251120 Deep sky imaging with a telescope

Finally took the plunge to use a real telescope for imaging.  I have been locking myself in using camera lenses, thinking that it's easier and faster (aperture).

This test shot blew my socks off.  The stars are so nicely taken, better than camera lenses.  This is not a real APO but it's not bad especially when compared with camera lenses.

Camera lenses are lighter and easier to operate, but a telescope could do more at the expense of more complicated setup, like more accurate polar alignment and to do guiding in order to have longer exposure.

After the imaging session, I did some planet observations with my daughter Almy using the 8" SCT, nice one.  The Rigel Quick Finder was way out of alignment.  I ended up using a distant lamp post for rough alignment, and then fine tune on the planet.

I spent little time in the preparation, which wasted some of my time in the cool weather.

My 85mm scope cannot reach focus without a diagonal or extension tube.  I went back and forth cooling off my fingers.

Before observation preparation: I tried to put on the motor focuser on the 85mm but the mounting plate is not matching so