Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) with an SCT on an Alt-Az Mount

In this video we explore the use of a Schmidt Cassegrain (SCT) telescope on an Alt-Az Mount for Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA). I explain the advantages of an SCT compared to a refractor or a Newtonian. I also discuss how an Alt-Az mount is a popular choice for EAA because of its low cost, light weight and ease of setup. I go over the setup procedure and show how to achieve the correct back focus spacing for a digital camera with a set of spacers. I demonstrate the 3 star alignment process and show how it puts 3 different deep sky objects in the field of view and use SharpCap to capture live images of the Orion Nebula, M82 the Cigar Galaxy and M51 the Whirlpool Galaxy.
You can find more content on astronomy equipment and techniques on my CZcams Channel www.youtube.co....
You can also visit my web site for other equipment reviews and many other topics on astronomy www.california...
CloudyNights Article on Diagonals with Optical Path Lengths: www.cloudynigh...
SharpCap: www.sharpcap.c...
SharpCap Tutorial: www.highpoints...
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High Point Scientific bit.ly/3YvqU4X
Agena Astro bit.ly/434LUSu
Celestron Telescopes for EAA
High Point Scientific Links
Nexstar 5SE Telescope: bit.ly/3qJArGd
Nexstar 6SE Telescope: bit.ly/3xtLM0Z
Nexstar 8SE Telescope: bit.ly/3BjTVGp
Agena Astro Links
Nexstar 5SE Telescope: bit.ly/45wWiDV
Nexstar 6SE Telescope: bit.ly/43qzq7c
Nexstar 8SE Telescope: bit.ly/3Ww735m
Nexstar Evolution 8 Telescope: bit.ly/3ov6Cf5
Amazon Links
Nexstar 5SE Telescope: amzn.to/3uzPuoG
Nexstar 6SE Telescope: amzn.to/32JZfpn
Celestron Nexstar Evolution Telescopes
High Point Scientific Links
Evolution 8 bit.ly/3xtU9tA
Evolution 9.25 bit.ly/3xRIRQ3
Agena Astro Links
Evolution 8: amzn.to/376Gajn
Evolution 9.25: bit.ly/3BUyJYe
ZWO Cameras:
High Point Scientific Link bit.ly/3QJcB88
Agena Astro Link bit.ly/3MAlPUg
Celestron f/6.3 focal reducer
High Point Scientific bit.ly/3Uet5Iq
Agena Astro bit.ly/3IEeMc5
Amazon amzn.to/3uAOdO0
Celestron f/7 Edge focal reducer
High Point Scientific Link bit.ly/3qFJx73
Agena Astro Link bit.ly/43jacro
Hyperstar Adapters:
High Point Scientific bit.ly/3ROHc5r
Generic 1.25" 0.5X Focal Reducer:
Agena Astro: bit.ly/3BUaae4
Amazon: amzn.to/3HES9RC
Generic 2" 0.5X Focal Reducer: bit.ly/4363BAS
Celestron T-Adapters from Agena Astro
Standard SCT bit.ly/3IFOHct
8" Edge : bit.ly/3orMxpV
9/25/11/14 Edge: bit.ly/3IEy1lx
Celestron T-Adapters from Amazon
Standard SCT: amzn.to/3uy0wuy
8" Edge: amzn.to/3vjwb2i
Celestron M42 Spacer Set bit.ly/3ukdZ8B
Threaded Optical Path Extensions:
Baader Varilock 29-46mm amzn.to/3KASxCN
Baader Varilock 20-29mm amzn.to/3E60Cg5
Baader 40mm amzn.to/3vjwCcW
Jackery Solar Generators amzn.to/368N2w6