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Randy Astronomy
Приєднався 20 лис 2022
My channel to share my Astronomy tips and experiences.
Be sure to check out my Randy Astronomy Facebook page too where I post more photos I’ve taken.
Be sure to check out my Randy Astronomy Facebook page too where I post more photos I’ve taken.
ETX105 with Table Top Tripod
This video demonstrates how to use the table top tripod legs with an ETX105.
Переглядів: 143
Відео
Meade DS114 Grey Tube setup
Переглядів 263Місяць тому
This video demonstrates how to set up an operate the telescope. One thing to note is when you recharge the battery and have it plugged into the charger, be sure to have the battery switch in the on position for charging. 
Meade DS114 White tube setup
Переглядів 150Місяць тому
This video shows you how to set up an operate the telescope. One thing to note when you recharge the battery and plug it in always have the switch turned to the on position for charging. 
Nexstar 4SE 2-star manual alignment
Переглядів 164Місяць тому
This video demonstrates how to do a 2-star manual alignment with the Nexstar 4SE telescope. One thing I was not clear about. When you slew to each alignment star you will roughly center it first in the red dot finder / eyepiece and then hit the ENTER key. Then it slows down the motor speed and has you do a final more precise centering in the eyepiece using the directional arrows. When done with...
Astro-Gadget AuxFi & Nexstar Demonstration
Переглядів 5182 місяці тому
I received my AuxFi WiFi device for Celestron mounts from Astro-Gadget. It did take 2-3 weeks to arrive after ordering. I made this video showing how to connect to it, do an alignment, and use SkySafari on an iPad to control the telescope. I tried connecting 6 times and each time it connected perfectly. I have only tested it inside so I will report back on an actual outside test and how far awa...
How to image a comet with your iPhone
Переглядів 1942 місяці тому
Here is a quick video showing you how to use the iPhone Night Mode to take an image of the comet.
Phone to eyepiece Adapter Setup
Переглядів 1792 місяці тому
This video shows how to set up an iPhone to eyepiece adapter. It demonstrates how you can use multiple camera lenses once this is set up. This uses a basic $15-$20 GOSKY adapter from Amazon. a.co/d/dmH2HXV
AutoStar basics
Переглядів 764 місяці тому
Video shows how to add location / site and calibrate motors / train drives.
AutoStar 497 Firmware Update Steps
Переглядів 1,1 тис.6 місяців тому
This video demonstrates how to upgrade a Meade Autostar #495 or #497 controller. You will need the appropriate cable to connect your hand controller to your computer and you will need the Starpatch freeware to load the firmware file onto the AutoStar controller.  Link to StarPatch software: www.stargps.ca/starpatch.htm
AutoStar Display Replacement or Keyboard Fix
Переглядів 2088 місяців тому
This video shows how to open the auto star controller and either replace a display or fix buttons that stick with a button repair kit. The button repair kit I got was from ButtonWorx.
Solar Eclipse Totality 4-8-24
Переглядів 1509 місяців тому
This video was shot during the totality of the April 8, 2024 total eclipse. This was taken with an iPhone 12 Plus on a 32mm eyepiece with a Celestron C6 telescope. 
Eyepiece to iPhone adapter with 26mm Meade eyepiece
Переглядів 3789 місяців тому
This video demonstrates using an eyepiece to iPhone adapter with a 26mm Meade eyepiece. The front eyepiece lens on this eyepiece is “deeper” / recessed more than some other eyepieces. This is typically referred to as shorter “eye relief” as your eye needs to be closer to the eyepiece. This also requires the eyepiece to be closer to the phone camera lens.
iPhone telescope adapter SVBONY eyepiece
Переглядів 9899 місяців тому
This video demonstrates how to use an eyepiece with a phone adapter. This particular eyepiece, the SVBONY 20mm red line, has a longer eye relief than many other eyepieces. I find it needs to be further away than my other eyepieces.
SharpCap Pro Live Planetary Stacking
Переглядів 3169 місяців тому
SharpCap Pro Live Planetary Stacking
Nexstar 6SE / 8SE EQ align on wedge
Переглядів 6 тис.11 місяців тому
Nexstar 6SE / 8SE EQ align on wedge
AutoFi WiFi controller for ETX Telescopes
Переглядів 1,3 тис.Рік тому
AutoFi WiFi controller for ETX Telescopes
NexStar 6SE / 8SE 2-star manual alignment
Переглядів 2,7 тис.Рік тому
NexStar 6SE / 8SE 2-star manual alignment
ETX125 Alt-Az Easy Alignment Procedure
Переглядів 3,6 тис.2 роки тому
ETX125 Alt-Az Easy Alignment Procedure
ETX Telescope Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) Removal & Fork Arm Access
Переглядів 6 тис.2 роки тому
ETX Telescope Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) Removal & Fork Arm Access
ETX-125 Level North Technology (LNT) Auto Alignment Procedure
Переглядів 1,3 тис.2 роки тому
ETX-125 Level North Technology (LNT) Auto Alignment Procedure
Be good if it retained the current date/time
Yes - I posted it for someone asking me how to use the table top tripod legs. I changed the title and description to remove the “polar alignment” words. Sorry for the confusion.
Video cuts off just as you are about the align the telescope.
Here is a video I posted prior on how to use the table top tripod with my ETX90 and do a polar alignment. ua-cam.com/video/j9ZOiv3J7ew/v-deo.htmlsi=BJfc6hOfKVTaEbKm
@@randallfosler Thanks!
Hey Randy, thanks for the setup video, I have my Dads DS-114 in black from probably 20 years ago or so and at one point it had a 10AA battery pack. is your pack original to that scope? I like the idea of a rechargeable!
@@IrousMedia it came with that AA battery case that needs 10 AA batteries. I didn’t like that as AA batteries don’t last long in these telescopes and replacing 10 at a time gets expensive. I also wanted the ability to have an on/off switch by using the rechargeable battery pack.
Great Video Thanks
What kind of attachment do you have for the iPhone for your telescope? Thanks!
I have some other videos showing the iPhone to eyepiece connections.
Yes, I leave my 8SE on the stand on my covered back patio. Its easy enough to carry it 20 feet to the open area for observations.
I bought a mead 90 mm Mac Casa Grande❤ thank you for your video Good Day Canada BC🎉❤
I tracked the ISS going across the night sky with my 8 inch Dob....by hand....it was damned difficult, and it just showed up as a big bright blob, could make out any parts of it. I need one of these motorized tracking things !
Thank you for your email. I bought my etx 125 ec with autostar brand new so many years ago I can not even remember I am moving to Greece an was pulling it out to check on it and the autostar is no longer working is there something that can be done? I have scoured the internet but keep coming up short. Thank you
@@shawnt4575 it may be easier to message me on Facebook. Go to my “Randy Astronomy” Facebook page and message me. We can chat on messenger then.
hi, can anybody help me. i have downloaded and installed StarPatch but it wont run; i get a brief StarPatch logo, then it disappears. i am on windows 10 but have tried emulating W7 and even XP, but just the same. any ideas?
Im getting a motor fault right now on my ETX 125 and need to access the encoder to make sure it's not covered in grease. Do I have to take apart my motor housing to acess that?
Where can this be obtained?
The Meade telescope company (and parent company Orion) is currently shut down and it is unknown if it will re-open. All of the Meade ETX products are only available on the used market.
Really helpful, thank you 🙂
Thank you for sharing this video. It was very useful as I have the same telescope and wedge set up over here in the UK, do you know if it’s possible to perform the same sky align using the app instead of the hand control whilst the wedge?
According to Celestron's page if you have the most recent version it has what you are looking for: "WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 3.1.0.9067 Introducing Celestron’s All-Star Polar Alignment routine, allowing you to easily polar align your German Equatorial or wedge-mounted Alt-AZ mount, without accessories that aid in polar alignment"
@ thank you for the quick response. That’s very helpful. I’ll have another look tonightWeather permitted.
2:27 I wish there was a proper explanation for that. So confused where to point the scope for the meridian . SMH
Hi ! Thanks for the video ! I am looking a part of my ETX90 RTA (right Tube adapter) which is broken and can't move the tube vertically anymore even the screw tight. Where could I find it ? Thank you again !
Is it west facing ?
30 years of amateur astronomy in a nutshell: - your telescope is only as good as your seeing - your mount is everything - your eyepieces are everything - your telescope is only as powerful as your arms and back Clear skies!
What RACI viewfinder is that? I haven't found one that can fit into the ETX's original mount.
That’s the Meade right angle finder that came with the ETX105 and ETX125 models. The ETX90 came with a straight through finder.
@@randallfosler Thanks.
I am trying to update my autostar with my ETX90 using a very similar cable but am having trouble getting my computer to connect to the controller. When I plug the USB into the computer, it makes the connecting sound so it recognizes there is something in the USB port but no information is coming from the controller. do you have any advice on this matter?
Update. It seems I need a driver for the cable/handset but am unsure where to get that
Hola que tal podrias hacer un video haciendo fotos de cielo profundo Como la nebulosa de orion Una galaxia La nebulosa de la laguna Es que tengo la app pero no se como usarla
good info
My telescope does not seem to have a “hard stop”
Do you have a video on how to setup all of this and configure it? Parts required???
does the metal interact with the GPS? Dont think this is magnetically affected...? Just got this today, going to try it on mine tonight... hoping for clear skies!
Ah reading the instructions says you need to have it far away from metallic objects.
it's magnetic, not GPS.
That was amazing thank you so much I got a lot of questions like does the 6se track.
Good job... how can connect Pc or tablet cable connection or wifi
@@sandaruwanmilan9535 you can use either a cable or a WiFi adapter to connect your NexStar 6/8SE to a computer. A tablet you can use WiFi.
@@randallfosler thank you... is it want celestron wifi adafter ?
How does the scope know your location?
@@paulscushschofield1288 in the hand controller there is a place you can enter your location information.
@@randallfosler ive been told but cant find it,each time i go into set up the thing goes blank
@@paulscushschofield1288be sure you have new batteries installed and the cable is not loose in the plug. If it still does it, your display may be failing on your controller or something else wrong with your controller.
@@randallfosler ive done all that,even bought the other handset (one with numbers),ive had 3 etx scopes and each one had a fault,from poor display,to uncrehensive jargon on the display to this one that goes blank
@@paulscushschofield1288the displays fail in the AutoStar controllers over time as the ribbon cable used to connect the display to the circuit board use printed carbon ink for the contacts. Many are failing now due to the carbon ink deteriorating. I’ve replaced displays in about 10 AutoStar controllers and they then work great. Prior to that the displays either went totally blank or they had garbled characters.
Great video, thanks. I need to extend my se8. How did you do it?
I do a lot of woodworking so I used a piece of hard oak to make a wood dovetail extension and bolted it to the original dovetail.
How do you remove the tube of etx 80
@@buckscard15 I have never removed an ETX60-70-80 OTA. This link may help you. www.weasner.com/etx/techtips/Cooney_70AT_Guide/70atguide.htm
Hello Nice video, with the wedge now you can track objects better? How much exposure time can you get with the base?
A cruel joke, giving a wedge plate for an etx. They can barely handle alt az mode. The optics are pretty killer though
Thank you for doing this! I was contemplating adding a Celestron wedge to my Nexstar AZ for EAA However it becomes apparent that a camera on the back of the OTA would smash into the base for certain positions North facing objects would especially be affected. For example - it would be impossible to center the scope on Polaris. So it appears the wedge would only be usable for observing objects in the southern sky.
You would need to shift the OTA forward like I did by adding another dovetail. Or you would use a diagonal. I moved on from the wedge and returned it. I found a lightly used AVX mount that works much better for astrophotography.
@@randallfosler Yes Thanks. I do understand that many people transition from a wedge to an GEM mount. As long as one finds the overhead of the GEM mount worth fussing with - it is especially suited for long exposures. Thank you for your kind response. Clear skies and wonderful images! :-]
Randy, what kind of finderscope is that? Brand, model please.
It is the Celestron 9X50 illuminated right angle correct image (RACI) finder scope.
How did you make a cord to bypass the 6 AA batteries and use external source?
I used a 9-volt battery terminal and wired that to a barrel plug adapter. Below are links to the parts (get the correct size barrel plug adapter for your needs). I can then use my Talentcell rechargeable battery pack. a.co/d/065bVpUy a.co/d/0dkXRzos
@@randallfosler Thanks for the info. Is your Talentcell pack 12V?
@@toddschroeder8447yes - I use 12v models.
Centering Polaris will not provide very accurate alignment, even for visual use. I use the Polar Clock app that shows Polaris relative to polar north. Aligning this way allows for much greater accuracy.
This does a polar alignment. It does not center on Polaris.
Excellent video - Thanks for sharing this.
Hi, What equipment are you using from us converters? I would like to do the same thing but I do not know where to start
I have an older version of this. www.usconverters.com/serial-rs232-wifi-adapter
Henderson nevada yes
Hi, thanks for your video. I was wondering if the person that made your sights sells them. I have a 60 and find it pretty hard to try and locate something without them. Thanks.
I switched to a different way to add a red dot finder to my ETX80. I printed this. www.thingiverse.com/thing:6107685
I’m so glad I got to see this with my own telescope, the camera doesn’t do justice to the plasma aches. Excellent video though
Very cool time lapse! How did your guiding work out? I saw your setup video and was thinking of guiding on the Sun as well, but since I was setting up in a field, I didn't think my polar alignment would be anywhere accurate enough for guiding to compensate. CS!
Guiding worked well. And the PS Align Pro made daytime polar alignment easy.
That’s really cool! Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks
Hi, i want to get best result without any vignette on my phone, what eyepiece that can give me zero vignette result?
Depends on your telescope, phone, and eyepiece. You just have to try different ones to see what works best. I’d start with a 25-26mm eyepiece.
You don't need the guide camera while shooting the sun.. simply using cpwi or in your hand controller, set tracking mode to solar. Also, you'd be better off using that guide camera in your main scope instead of your phone and lucky image the sun..
I’m showing how to use a wedge and align the 6SE/8SE in EQ mode in this video. I’m not demonstrating how to use it on the sun. I’m demonstrating it during the day so you can see what I’m doing. I have an entirely different setup for solar observing the eclipse. See my other video for that. I use an AVX mount, guide scope, guide camera, and the PHD2 Solar version that tracks the sun perfectly for hours. Just using CPWI or the controller in solar tracking cannot keep the sun perfectly centered for hours for a long event like an eclipse.
Why is your home position different then what the manual says? Is it different the the ETX125 PE ? THANKS
Some of the PE models have auto alignment with the Level North Technology (LNT) module. This has a different home position. See my video for ETX Alt-Az Automatic Alignment for that.
No you for the reply. I will check it out.
Very helpful thanks.
Thank you for this, just got one of these babies second hand... can't wait to use it!