Beginner Picture Questions (CCD)

This is the first time I have tried to take pictures with my telescope (130mm EQ Newt), and I live in a suburb of Atlanta GA, so the light pollution is pretty bad...

Anyway, I have a couple of basic questions (figure a beginner, they go here?)

I was using my digital camera which does not allow more than a 2 second exposure. I have 2 eyepeices, 10mm and 25mm plossl. I have a mount (homemade, about $7, works great) which gets the lens very close (though I still get some vignetting(???))

Question 1) should I be using the eyepeices at all, or just using the camera with the 10x optical zoom on the telescope sans eyepeice? (forget this, I tried without, and had a big black dot in the middle)

Question 2) based on what I read, I assume I do not need a motor for my mount, as long as I can take multiple images (i.e. keep getting the object centered then re-capture) and use registax?

Question 3) the camera does have the ability to make AVI's, and I have tried this with registax, but have not had good results. Anyone try using a avi mode on a camera?

Question 4) the 10mm plossl has a real small hole, versus the 25mm plossl (forgive the spelling...) Makes it almost impossible to use this with my camera, even holding it right up to it. Are there other eyepeices or would a barlow help this?

Much appreciated for any help! I am really enjoying this new hobby, and am having a blast showing my kids the moon and other bright objects (as they don't get that excited about the dimmer ones..;-)

Thanks
Matt

Hello Matthew! 8)

Here we go...


1. LOL! been there, done that...
Nope, your camera won't work like that. Use the eyepieces and you'll be fine. (this is called the AFOCAL method) 8)

2. For such short exposures, you should not need a motorized mount, even though it would really help as you would not have to re-center the object all the time... (with a motor it would track it for you...)

3. If you plan on taking AVIs, you must have a tracking mount, and some nice support for your camera, so you won't have to hold it by hand against the eyepiece...

4. A 2x barlow and your 25mm eyepiece should be much easier to handle than the 10mm eyepiece alone... (and it would give you the equivalent of a 12.5mm eyepiece)



Clear skies, and enjoy this nice hobby! 8)

Matt, while Ivan is going to give you useful information, I am going to commend you on your attempts. Keep at it, and listen to the guys who know what they are talking about, (Ivan and others)and you will get it.