Astro – The Equipment

Before I ramble I can say that this isn’t a cheap hobby, but depending on your needs it doesn’t have to break the bank. You are not Hubble or James Webb. Many gains are made during post processing.

Suggestion #1 – Yes you can use a regular dslr/mirrorless camera. This is where I started. It does work, but it just didn’t work for me in the end and I ran out of hair to pull out. Since moving to a dedicated astrophotography camera that is one part of the equation I don’t worry about.

The current list

Deep Space Configuration

Mount : Orion Atlas II EQ-G

Camera : ASI 1600MM Pro

Filter Wheel : ASI EFW

Filters :ASI Ha Oii Sii LRGB

Focuser : Pegasus Astro Focuscube

Telescope : SVBONY Sv503 80mm

SVBONY .80 Flattner/Focal Reducer

Guide Camera : ASI 120MM Mono

Guide Scope : SVBONY SV165

Power management : Pegasus Astro Microbox – 12V adapter when shooting at home / Lithium Powerbank of some sort when remote.

Mac mini running Stellarmate OS X for INDI Server when shooting at home

Raspberry Pi4 running Stellarmate for INDI Server when on remote local

GPS : USB dongle

Dew heaters : SVBONY for guide scope and telescope

Camera Lens Deep Space Configuration

Mount : Orion Atlas II EQ-G

Camera : ASI 1600MM Pro

Filter Wheel : ASI EFW

Filters :ASI Ha Oii Sii LRGB

Focuser : Astromechanics Focuser for Canon Lenses

Guide Camera : ASI 120MM Mono

Guide Scope : SVBONY SV165

Power management : Pegasus Astro Microbox – 12V adapter when shooting at home / Lithium Powerbank of some sort when remote.

Mac mini running Stellarmate OS X

GPS : USB dongle

Dew heaters : SVBONY for guide scope and telescope

Laptop : I use a Mac laptop as a client to the Raspberry PI to control everything.

Planetary Configuration

Mount : Orion Atlas II EQ-G

Camera : ASI 664MC

Barlow : 2X

Telescope : SVBONY MK105

Power management : Pegasus Astro Microbox – 12V adapter when shooting at home / Lithium Powerbank of some sort when remote.

Mac mini running Stellarmate OS X

GPS : USB dongle