First off, thanks for taking the time to deal with me. Yes, I've checked out all the links you've sent me, and I'm focusing in on a few different things. I think the video you linked was incredible, and it is relatively important that I do get some sort of livestream to a computer. This is what I have in mind for a cheap, easy camera. - The Bare module was something I would do, and we do have a 3D printer, but it's probably best to start basic and go with something I could just clip in and go. - As far as the barlow goes, I just don't know what to look for. This seemed like something that would suffice, but I don't want to go buying the wrong thing. - I did end up finding somebody who has 3 of the mounts I have, and says he has a whole heap of equipment and parts that he doesn't have listed on his site. I did email and try to get in touch with him, and I received a relatively jumbled response. Here's the link. Once in the catalogue, I just used CTRL+F to find the LXD-650. - And here's the email. Hi Justin thanks for the email and pics, unless someone went inside it and cannibalized it for parts I think the mount has the motors built in and all you may need is the hand controller and the cables and a AC- 12 or 18 volt DC power supply and the manual to get it working again, I don’t know if its worth it to invest money in that older technology but if you get the parts and assuming it works fine, it’s a decent if not noisy go to computerized mount and fine for visual use and teaching astronomy and basic astrophotography, see if it has the polar scope at the rear under the black plastic cap, that’s helpful for polar alignment, these mounts and tripod seem to go for around $750 or so from private parties on the astro sites and there are other mounts that can handle that scope that costs around $1000 and up so it’s a judgement call on you and the school as to needs and budget concerns so let me know if you need more help thanks Don
Thanks again
Has anyone used a Orion star shoot webcam (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093VH9UQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3ER6VS8HE3Z5&coliid=I2ZQR8OYJSNLKU) attached to a travel scope 60, and produced decent photos?
I've recently been trying to get into Astrophotography, however I'm having a hard time choosing what equipment to use.
I've tried using a cheap $10 webcam but all I get is a bright object when looking at Jupiter. I have a cheap Orion tabletop reflector with a 2x barlow.It has a short focal length but I can still see Jupiter with its stripes even with heavy light pollution. The only problem is I can't seem to get anything other than a bright dot when using the webcam or even my Galaxy S5 which is even more difficult because it's frustrating trying to hold up the camera to the eyepiece and getting it to focus. Even when I can focus it, I get a higher resolution bright dot compared to the webcam. After playing with the exposures and ISOs it still shows up as a bright object.
I was searching for cheaper cameras made for astrophotography and came across the Orion Starshoot which comes in at $60 or $45 used. I'm trying to keep my budget low so would I be better off getting the Starshoot, investing in a better webcam with more adjustable settings, or even getting a telescope adapter mount for my S5?
EDIT: I also have a webcam adapter that is famously used but when I take the lens off my webcam, it becomes extremely blurry and useless without it.