A Night Out Part 1 - Or How I Setup My 10" Meade LX90 For Astrophotography

How to setup your Meade Forkarmed Telescope, for a perfect night out?
In small steps I go through all the things that I do, when I setup my 10" Meade LX90.
The photo in the end is taken by an Altair 183c Camera
Exposure: 100m through 2m subs. Gain:2000 in SharpCap Pro
Focalreducer of 0.63 was used.

[@Mudnuri]

Wow! Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I have never owned a telescope. At 54 years old, I am finding an interest in stargazing. I found a 10" meade with all accessories for under 2k. I didn't realize how much there is to it. Just setting it up alone is quite a challenge for a beginner. Now I understand why some have home observatories. Thank you again for a wonderfully explained video. Brian Jupiter, Florida

[@skatter3112]

You are very Welcome. I am glad you enjoyed it. There is a part two, about the software. I am planning the next video.

[@mdunwurkin1]

Thank you Klaus for the excellent video - it's a great help. I'm just finishing up mounting my 12" Meade LX90 on the X-Wedge, which will be mounted on a newly-poured concrete pier. (The adapter plate is scheduled to be delivered this weekend, then I'm ready to go.) Your video will make the process much easier without having to go through all the trial and error. Much appreciated!

[@skatter3112]

I am honored by your reply

[@ronsfi]

I want to thank this man for teaching me how to think technically about astronomy.

[@skatter3112]

Thank you very much.

[@inter-linked]

Great video. I changed my mind about buying one. I hadn’t realised it was such an involved process.

[@skatter3112]

Oh no, that was not my intend. Buy one, and come back here for info. I learned from scratch during a 6 month period.

[@PATTACAT72]

Don't give up, it's all worth it

[@KlausStoermer]

Excellent video about how to get the mystery about SCT's on a wedge polar aligned. Now I can finally do some astro photography with my C-9.25 Danke schön!!!

[@skatter3112]

You are very welcome

[@robertallen6710]

Great vid..now I know how to hug my telescope to carry it outside...seriously tho' I will learn much when I get to actually watch the entire video! Thank you, kind sir!

[@skatter3112]

Thank you very much sir. I am more than pleased that it will bring you knowledge. That was the agenda about this video. Clear skies to you.

[@leoncorns1450]

I learnt so much from this Video. I also have an lx90 and I'm looking to use a laptop to control it's movements. So thank you!

[@skatter3112]

You are more than welcome. I am happy you could find use in IT.

[@Peter.A-A]

Tak for en rigtig fin video. Som andre skriver, så den grundig og lærende, uden at virke for lang.

[@skatter3112]

Tak skal du have

[@Markinpuff]

The way he carried out the scope and the mount is impressive, it’s extremely heavy.

[@skatter3112]

Its not a long haul. Did you enjoy the information?

[@Markinpuff]

@@skatter3112 yes, I have had the lx90 8, lx200 8, lx200 10, Celestron 8 hd, 9.25 hd, 11hd inch and many refractors. I have never done astro photography, just Visual. I kept the celestron9.25 hd and eq mount. But the meade scopes were excellent too. I regret selling the lx90, it was a hand picked scope I won at NEAF, it was my first scope and the optics were fantastic.

[@skatter3112]

@@Markinpuff The optics are great on that scope. I believe its the same optics as the LX200, though there are productline diffs. Nowadays both mounts has the ACF F10

[@HomeRoboticsAustralia]

this guy carried the whole thing assembled, wow.

[@skatter3112]

Its not a long haul.

[@jlmf6274]

Fantastic!

[@skatter3112]

Thank you

[@gravibotgreins757]

Fantastic

[@skatter3112]

Thank you

[@richardforee1342]

Aloha Klaus! Great job, very informative, and one more subscriber!

[@skatter3112]

Thank you

[@andredellavolpe]

Hello Mr. Klaus Blichfeldt; thank you so much for your video. I bought a Meade LX200 GPS 10" a few weeks ago and I'm using its video to make the polar alignment. As I'm Brazilian, I don't use the Polar Star, but Sigma Octanis for the southern hemisphere. As I'm new to astronomy, "I am getting hit" a lot. Nice to meet you.

[@skatter3112]

Im happy you liked the video. Happy hunting and clear skies.

[@itsgmani]

Cool video

[@skatter3112]

Thank you very much

[@chrisberardi2304]

Excellent video - thanks for running through it all.

[@skatter3112]

You are very welcome. I am happy you liked it. Next part is about the software.

[@308Win609]

Klaus -- nice video, great vibe. All the Best! Dave in Florida.

[@skatter3112]

Thank you very much. A new video will soon be up. That video will be about a very simple setup

[@ClearAmbientSkies]

Wow man, your presentation and personality really are wonderful and it shows. Thank you for a fun and interesting video. Subscribed!

[@skatter3112]

Thank you very much. I am sorry for the late reply, but your comment was marked as spam. I dont know why.

[@davoc5140]

im looking to get into astro photography and you have inspired me!

[@skatter3112]

Thank you. I am glad I did.

[@timtim4664]

Thanks Klaus for doing this! I use a Celestron CPC1100, but I enjoyed the video! And your English is great!!

[@skatter3112]

I am happy that you found it helpfull.

[@Grzybo93]

I'm happy I stumbled upon your video, I love your enthusiasm! Cheers mate

[@skatter3112]

Oh thank you so much. I hope it gave you some insight. My enthusiasm cant be controlled :-) Please have a look at the other videos aswell. ;-)

[@Grzybo93]

@@skatter3112 I wish I had gear like you, I'm just a humble owner of an ETX-125 (which I think is an awesome telescope). Will definitely use your tips for polar alignment though!

[@skatter3112]

@@Grzybo93 I dont think you can polaralign an ETX125 using my method, because the field of view is to small in your mainscope. Afterall, its a F15 ratio on that telescope. If you have a guidescope or a finderscope with a camera attached you can do it. I recall the ETX125 only comes with the reddot finder. I own a ETX125 myself.

[@Grzybo93]

@@skatter3112 Yeah I don't think I can use Sharp Cap either but I think I can polar align for better mount tracking (at least so they say in the manual lol)

[@donyoung1162]

Great video. Thanks Klaus and your English is quite good!

[@skatter3112]

I am honored that you liked it.

[@MrMuppetbaby]

Thanks Klaus, I am trying to remember how to do this stuff I bought an 8" Meade LX200 15 years ago and I am trying to get back into the swing of things. Best Tod from Las Vegas. (Terrible seeing with the strip down there)! :)

[@skatter3112]

Happy hunting and clear skies to you. I am happy this was a gamestarter.

[@johnburke4850]

Great….you convinced me I’m buying high power binoculars and a tripod. I would never have the patience for this.

[@skatter3112]

It takes time to learn ;-)

[@marcosastrophotography100]

Great video with a lot of very helpfull tipps. Thank you very much 👍🙂✨🔭

[@skatter3112]

Thank you Marco. What tips helped you the most?

[@eranzg7348]

Thank you and very nice for investing in your explanation. 👌🏽👌🏽

[@skatter3112]

I am happy you liked it

[@cosmicbackyard_denmarkrene3273]

Great video - very helpful

[@skatter3112]

Thank you Rene. Its always nice to know, that the videoes help.

[@clowboychannel.5434]

Good mr....👍👍

[@skatter3112]

Thank you sir

[@clowboychannel.5434]

@@skatter3112 yes 👍👍🙏

[@vinchel118]

Great vid but i got discouraged watching almost 20 minutes of adjusting, aligning, adding bits...

[@skatter3112]

I am sorry about that. I am planning to do a shorter version, but in the first case, this video was not really intended to be more than; "This is what it takes to prepare before making astrophotos" . Therefor the lengthy outcome. I can promise you though, that preparation is key to do good shots. :-)

[@vinchel118]

Its still a great setup video. I am just trying to build up the courage to buy one.

[@zenzoran5511]

Actually, I watched the video only because I wanted to learn the setup & adjustment.

[@skatter3112]

@@zenzoran5511 , I hope you found the learning then :-)

[@3_Gold_Coins]

I think that your video shows the reality of just what it takes to get the scope set to takes to get digital photos. I am new to the hobby, and I will be learning to see the planets first.

[@qzorn4440]

What a wonderful DIY telescope video. I have an old Celestron 6" SCHMIDT-CASSEGRAIN telescope in moth balls from the Halley's Comet 1986 event. I think this would be a great project to do if the optics are still any good? Thanks for all the how to tools like SharpCap pro. The scope needs a nice hobby camera. 😎 Thanks a lot.

[@skatter3112]

Oh thank you very much. And you are very welcome.

[@darrenbrown7568]

Great video Klaus....I wish I had a10inch Telescope and a laptop with a program to align the telescope and to take these amazing photographs, but mostly the brains to know how to use them 🤔👍

[@skatter3112]

I am happy you liked the video. The brains bit? Well, learning by doing is paramount. If you want help, let me know :-)

[@leandromesquita15]

Awesome!

[@skatter3112]

Thank you

[@joeimbesi99]

Very nice clear video explanations Danke

[@skatter3112]

You are welcome

[@dvmhopkins]

Tak for det her Klaus, hilsen fra Wales

[@skatter3112]

Du er velkommen. Håber du kunne bruge den til noget. Så snart mørket vender tilbage til Danmark, laver jeg en gennemgang af softwaren jeg bruger. Better do it in english aswell :-) You are welcome, I hope you could find use of it. As soon as the nights gets dark in DK again, I will make a run through of the software I use.

[@k.h.1587]

Looked like a meade 6.3 reducer. Note that those are for classic scts, the acf optics will be defeated somewhat, unless your main camera chip is pretty small

[@skatter3112]

No that was a Meade 0.63 reducer. 6,3 would make it a barlow not a reducer. Thank you for your concern though, but get the figures right, .-)

[@k.h.1587]

@@skatter3112 .63 reducers are also referred to as f6.3 reducers since that is the focal ratio they create

[@skatter3112]

@@k.h.1587 only on a f10 optic. If the optic was f5 it would be f3.125 They reduce by the multiplication of 0.63

[@k.h.1587]

@@skatter3112 and they are designed for SCTs which by celestron and meade have only been available in 3 focal ratios, not counting the early blue and white celestron pacific ones. And that is, the great majority are f10, only the c14 was f11 (so f6.93 effectively f7), and meade had a run of not so great f6.3 scts that reduced to f4. F8 meades have always been ARC/ACF models. There has never been an f5 sct. And it would not be practical to do so. And on any other design they wouldn't be a reducer/corrector, just a reducer, and in many cases, a reducer/abberator, since when you put one on a scope that already has a flat field, like a mak or HD/ACF, it will de flatten the field, or incorrectly try to flatten a field that has different curvature or edge abberation profile than an SCT, such as if adapted to work on a refractor, something we used to do with a 2" sct threaded nose piece, when we were too cheap to buy the correct reducer. So yes you are correct, it just does not apply to the proper use of that particular reducer/corrector, and the fact that in my day many of use called them 6.3's is just semantics. By the way, Optec makes a proper reducer for the ACF meades, and it is a .5x and I believe it is called the lepus.

[@peter7624]

Thanks for the video Klaus. Watching you carry your scope out I can only think that your other hobby is weightlifting. I have the older LX10 8" with the equatorial wedge, but I am only now experimenting with imaging.

[@skatter3112]

I am glad you liked it.

[@Btstaz]

This man probably has the happiest wife in the world.

[@skatter3112]

Well why would she be ?

[@Btstaz]

@@skatter3112 Your amazing attention to detail :-D

[@skatter3112]

@@Btstaz , Thank you

[@carlosdevenadotuerto8143]

Excelent video. Thank you

[@skatter3112]

You are very welcome.

[@skatter3112]

I do not know what cableset you should buy. I use a 505 cableset from Meade. I hope you liked the video

[@adamharris6557]

Great video, thanks!

[@skatter3112]

You are very Welcome

[@nisanoguz]

great video, wonderful information; Its hard to find deep sky image videos of fork mounted telescopes, thank you :))

[@skatter3112]

I am happy if you could use the information. Thank you for your kind reply.

[@perkunast9680]

I think you just made my up my mind, go with a dobsonian. They are a fraction of the price, easy to set up and use, unlike the meade.

[@skatter3112]

I am happy I could help. A dobsonian though, cannot be used for astrophotography.

[@daknarr]

Hi Klaus, Fantastic video, and absolutely great set up! When I thought I had questions before, I have even more now because you're doing exactly what I want to do. I have the same LX90 ACF 10", received a few months before staying home. Unfortunately now "Herman" stares out of our apartment window waiting the opportunity to return to our nights out LOL. Strictly observing at this point, but I do have a few questions if it's not too much of a bother... Anyway, do you find the standard field tripod is sturdy enough for the X-Wedge, OTA, CCD, and guide scope plus any extra weights for balancing? How do you connect the guide scope to the main drive motors? Is it through the AudioStar controller? How do you attach the balancing weights to the OTA? I am terribly sorry if I sound excessively ignorant, it's just that...well I am! Thanks again for the great video. I look forward to the next!

[@skatter3112]

Hi Daknarr I named my telescope, Sunny (My wifes name) Herman though is a good name aswell :-) I am glad, youve found any help in this video. Now for your questions: 1. I do find the field tripod really sturdy. It is rigid and firm. I have no issues with it. Even with all equipment attached. 2. I connect the guidecamera through Ascom and to the Audiostar Handcontroller, using several adaptor cables, I think the set is called "Meade 505 cable set" I do not use ST4. It is important I think not to use the ST4 option. It is not good enough on LX90, even though you can buy adaptors for it. I use a serial cable with a Serial to usb adaptor, as all new laptops and pcs do not have a com port. 3. The balancing weights came with a bar that could be attached to the tube with supplied screws. You remove some screws from the OTA assembly and replace them with the supplied ones. Very easy really. BTW you do not strike me as being ignorant, just curious, and that is good. I hope this shed some light to your questions, or else feel free to ask.

[@brandonzidzik]

..now I will mount my telescope onto my telescope...😊

[@giannisathanasopoulos-c7h]

great video! thanks a lot!! i have a question.. what cables do you use to connect your guide camera to the controller? thanks in advance

[@skatter3112]

Thank you, I am happy you like the video. I do not connect my guidecam to my controller. This cable is a ST4 cable, and it is not good enough for guiding. I connect my guidecam to my pc, and from my pc to my mount via ascom

[@ACEOFSPACE2000]

Nice video well done.

[@skatter3112]

Thanks a lot. It means a lot, ive seen some of your video work, and if you find this nice, I guess I can be satisfied :-)

[@johnbarry5036]

u should take the tripod out first then the fork+ota. Save your back. I think its only 1 screw at the bottom, easy to do.

[@skatter3112]

Thank you for your concern, I think its manaable though.

[@dondayday]

Greetings! I have a question for you. At minute marker 6:16 you set your dial to 12. Why do you set it to 12? When I am trying to polar align, I have the marker set to zero. I wonder if this is why I am struggling with good polar alignment? :-). Thank you!

[@skatter3112]

The marker at twelve could be any number, as it is a loose ring you rotate round the Ra axis. I use 12, because... well just because 🙂

[@tullyfisher]

Very interesting. Thank you! Your guide scope has (/will have) the approx. diameter of my main scope. 😫😁😁 What are the streaks (16:50) caused by? Great results though! Clear skies.

[@skatter3112]

Thank you for watching. The streaks is either overstretching or crawling noise, due to poor darks or no dithering.

[@PandaweePMC]

When did you put the main camera back on? When I try this my camera seems very close to hitting the wedge and I get scared.

[@skatter3112]

I put it back on, when polar alignment and 2 star alignment is done. Before that I use a 26mm eyepiece to center stars.

[@georgeshepherd6887]

What app did you use to check vertical Kind Regards George

[@skatter3112]

Presice Level. But you can use any "levelling" app you want to.

[@saharram4070]

thank you very much!!

[@skatter3112]

You are most welcome. Can I ask what you are thanking for?

[@ericjenkins6955]

Klaus, love the videos. I have the same scope/tripod. I will be using an X-wedge. What main camera do you use? I keep reading about "oversampling." I have a .8 focal reducer and QHY 268 mono ph. I have not tried the gear yet. Just want to know if you think it will work. Thanks in advance.

[@skatter3112]

I am happy that you like the videoes. I really cant help on what camera to use, as I did a fault myself. I bought a cam that even with a 0.63 reducer does oversampling. I just went for resolution. 🙂 I use a Altair 183c camera with only 2.4 microns pixels, but at a whooping 20m pixel res. :-)

[@ericjenkins6955]

@@skatter3112 Thank you. I think I have decided to go with around a 5 micron pixel. Maybe a QHYCCD294. Fingers crossed. Take care.

[@skatter3112]

@@ericjenkins6955 You too. Clear skies and happy hunting.

[@skatter3112]

@@ericjenkins6955 You too. Thanks again for your kind remarks of me videoes.

[@maheohernandez7167]

I hsve a 8in. I took the mirror off by mistake. How do u pit it back?

[@skatter3112]

I am sorry, but I cant answer that.

[@Arisild]

Hi Klaus, Really nice video! Subscribed! Seems like you are from Denmark? I just bought 6 inch lx65 but it is super heavy to transport. I see you drag your telescope from the garage, but if you go to darker skies how do you do it? I live in København and the light pollution is horrible around here so I was thinking re-purposing Sækkevogn to be my main transport device. Yesterday dragged the telescope for a 100 meters and now I have muscle pains :D

[@skatter3112]

I live in Koege, yes I am danish. My telescope is a handable weight to move the short distance from my garage, to my fav spot. I never go to darker sites. I am always using this option. Koege is lightpoluted aswell, but, as you see in the end of the video I manage to get ok pictures. I am glad you liked the video. Sometime in september I will make a new one where I run through the software used. Maybe you would like to travel from Copenhagen to Koege, and see by yourself, how it is done?

[@tvnostalgia7477]

Did you mention the wedge? Not a standard piece of equipment.

[@skatter3112]

I do believe the veiwers sees it.

[@tvnostalgia7477]

@@skatter3112 I saw it. 🙂 Just so the viewers of your nice video know, for polar alignment, you’ll need a scope or mount with a wedge. These can be purchased separately. 👍🏻

[@cstevens6692]

Great Video! Thank You! One question, When I go from the Alt/Az mount to the Wedge mount, Do I need to Re-Train my telescope drive? Thanks!

[@skatter3112]

Thank you. As I know, the training is not needed in polarmode ( with a wedge)

[@AlexandrMart]

Hello! What is the distance in mm between the die chamber and the focus gear box? Do the stars stretch around the edges with this gearbox? Thank you !

[@skatter3112]

I have no clue of the distance. There are no curving.

[@AlexandrMart]

@@skatter3112 I asked the question the wrong way. I saw that you use the distance between the camera sensor and the reducer for yourself about 150 mm.

[@skatter3112]

@@AlexandrMart actually its 105 mm

[@erkaslanaygen6641]

Dear Klaus, thank you very much for guiding us through the journey, much appreciated. I am also on the verge of having a Meade LX600 permanently installed on a pier. I plan to use it also with APT. Quick question : did you encounter any obstacle while installing the Ascom driver for your LX90 ? Is plate solving working well ? Just asking, because it seems many LX200 users have trouble with Ascom driver for their Meade. Would really appreciate your feedback. Best regards.

[@skatter3112]

Thank you for your kind reply. I have not met any issues using the Ascom driver for LX90. I had many unsolved things trying to use ST4 though. Platesolving is a breeze.

[@erkaslanaygen6641]

@@skatter3112 Thank you for your quick response Klaus. Interesting, let's hope I won't encounter any obstacle while having my LX600 installed....again, thank you for your kind support.

[@skatter3112]

@@erkaslanaygen6641 you are welcome

[@MCRBLogon]

really awesome scope, sir. 1 request, can you suggest me the best telescope between 500-600 dollars? ( One of those for deep space observation and nebulas) thanks in advance ❤❤❤❤❤❤😍

[@skatter3112]

I am no expert in first scopes. There are many videos about that on KZbin.

[@rfcdgaf]

Is the F/10 a problem for photography

[@skatter3112]

Off course its a problem. You to have pin point PA (Polar Alignment) Yes you have to make sure everything is tighentend up. Thats why I use the 0.63 focalreducer. Now you could ask why go for this long focal lenght for a start? Well, because I've got 10" mirrors gathering light for me. Its like a big bucket turning into a very big bucket.

[@simonc5313]

Hi Thank you very much for this very good guide. I got a LX90 8" a few years ago extremley cheaply as it was broken. I repaired the scope but have never really used it much as i dont have a clue what i'm doing as i've never had any sort of telescope before. Since we cant leave the house i thought i would make a new hobby, so doing lots of learning at the moment! My aim is to obtain incredible photos like yours if possible. I have been looking at getting a main camera (and a guide camera). I was also looking at the Altair 183C Pro, but from what i have read, the small pixel size of 2.4 might not be perfectly suitable for the focal lenght of 2000mm? Am i correct? Does this factor make much difference? Thank you, Simon.

[@skatter3112]

You are totally right on the isue with the 183C. I bought it because i hunted for megapixels. I still can do decent photos though, as I use a 0.63 focal reducer. I could also go for 2x2 binning or 4x4, but I stay at 1x1, I am still happy for megapixels :-) When I can afford it, I will replace it with a newer Altair.

[@janmejaypanda5414]

Why Meade 10" lx600 is way more costlier than celestron 11" telescope ?? What is the special features of Meade that made this brand so costly

[@skatter3112]

The LX600 has built in autoguiding and platesolving. The scope has a widefield and a narrowfield camera built in and communicating with the onboard computer. The celestron is just a goto telescope.

[@janmejaypanda5414]

@@skatter3112 thanx for answering. I m going crazy to get the answer. Can u plz suggest me good telescope I m beginner. Recently I m developing strong hobby for astronomy.

[@skatter3112]

@@janmejaypanda5414, you will have to answer elsewhere about that. I would like to keep the comments here, concerning the video.

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

Hi Klaus, Thanks for the great video with its many suggestions for using this impressive telescope. One question: are you using Meade's standard wedge to produce an equatorial mount, or are you using the new X-Wedge? To me, this looks like the standard one. For me personally, I prefer the standard wedge if I can get away with it, because it weighs much less--even though the X-wedge is excellent for heavier telescopes.

[@skatter3112]

I am glad you liked the video. Yes I use the standard wedge. Would I have prefered the X-wedge? I dont know. This was the one I could afford. It works well.

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

@@skatter3112 Thanks for the message. This helps to explain your comparative ease of handling the telescope, even with a 10 inch diameter, though I think that you have something to do with that too. One suggestion: use of a mobile platform on wheels to mount the scope on. This would allow you to leave the telescope set up in between uses. I use a JMI/Optical Structures platform, and it works pretty well. One thing that I like about it is that all I need is a little space inside or in my garage. No observatory building is required. At any rate, very nice video.

[@chris.louiscertain2650]

Hi Klaus, very nice video. Congratulations :-)) We watched it two times together with my wife Mitsuko and it gave us a good overview how to polar align that MEADE LX telescope with an equatorial wedge. We liked it very much. Could you let us know what kind of cameras you are using for astrophotography? By the way I have seen your declination 54.3°. Are you located In UK? Cheers from Düsseldorf (Germany)

[@skatter3112]

The cameraes are listed in the description. I am glad you liked the video. I am located in Denmark. Take a look at part two aswell.

[@chris.louiscertain2650]

​@@skatter3112Thanks for quick reply. Klaus! I appreciate! Never been there but heard so many good things about Denmark! We'll have a look at part 2 :-) Chris

[@banukadimuthu4070]

Thank you very much for the video. I was seeking a video on meade lx family. For the counter weight balance you fixed seperatly the weight and the bar or inbuild?

[@skatter3112]

My counter weights is an extra buy. They dont come with the scope.

[@megamegamegafish]

Thanks mate So if I want to connect my LX90 to my PC for use of PHD2, Do I have to connect my hand controller to my pc? Or do you connect straight Into the aux port on the mount ?

[@skatter3112]

From the handbox

[@loetauge]

hello very useful video, i have nearly the same setup lx 90 8“ 0.63 and same cameras etc. could you show a video about config the astro software from beginning? do you use the st4 cable to the mount? ascom setup? did you manage plate solving? best regards from Bonn/Germany

[@skatter3112]

Maybe My next video will be about setting up the software. I am Happy you liked the video. I always have succes on the platesolving. Watch part 2 and 3 for more tips. I only use ascom for guiding.

[@skatter3112]

I have just made a video of the setup of software

[@lesbooth2391]

Hi Klaus, hope your well and have clear skies, my TS-Optics guidescope has just arrived from Germany and it’s the same as yours, it came without a manual and I can’t work out what the thumbscrew in the blue ring at the viewfinder end of the OTA is for? Thanks Les

[@skatter3112]

Thanks for your concern. That is either for gripping the eyepice/camera or to lock the focus in place.

[@lesbooth2391]

@@skatter3112 I don’t mean that one, it’s the one on the OTA it self, there are 3 other holes around the edge of the OTA but they just have black screws in them

[@skatter3112]

@@lesbooth2391 share a pic on fb

[@lesbooth2391]

@@skatter3112 shared on your post in MEADE LX group

[@miroj6323]

Hi Klaus, I just get my LX90 as a first telescope. Could you list all of your equipment and software that you are using?

[@skatter3112]

I can try. And congrats on your scope. Hardware: Meade 10" LX90 telescope Altair 80mm Finder/guidescope Meade 0.63 Focal Reducer Meade Wedge Dewband Meade Counterweights Altair 130c Guidecamera Altair 183c Maincamera Meade cabelset for LX90 (Usb to Serial converter) (Cant recall the name, maybe 505) Software: Sharpcap 3.2 Pro (You need to buy a license to have the polaralignment) I use this to polar align and capture of my subs. I always use livestacking, so no Deep Sky Stacker needed. Astrophotographytool APT This I use for platesolving to find my targets, as the LX90 isnt that accurate on its gotos PHD2 For autoguiding the telescope. Thats it. Since I use the "Livestack" feature in Sharpcap, I do not need to process my pictures that much after shooting. I shoot 10 darks and 10 flats before shooting the nights target. These are automaticlly processed to the subs in Livestacking mode. I use Gimp to do some small processing afterwards. Kind regards Klaus Blichfeldt

[@jeffinjoe]

Hi Klaus ! Thank you very much really informative video. Is there any issue Meade Reducer/Corrector with AFC telescope ?

[@skatter3112]

Thank you for your reply. I havent gotten any issues with the Meade reducer. I have even used it with different spacers, given a different backfocus. Even that hasnt gotten me any issues. Or maybe I am just not seeing them :-)

[@jeffinjoe]

@@skatter3112 Thank you. what i meant is like its correcting the already corrected ASF light leaving coma for star at the edge ?

[@skatter3112]

@@jeffinjoe This is only a reducer, not a flattener

[@marcinguza4698]

Hello Sir Very informative video. One of the best one which i seen how to polar align Meade LX90/200 on wedge. I recently bot 8'' . I'm still waiting for a few bits for it. From what I can see on video you can guide and control the scope at the same time. For what i was reading everything is connected to the hand controller so either scope is connected to PC or guiding camera to the controller. Can you please explain to me which cables are you using and how are they connected. I have in my plans to complete full working setup before winter so i could imaging from inside. Thank you in advance for your replay. Martin

[@skatter3112]

Hi Martin. Thx for your kind reply. I do not guide and control the scope at the same time, mainly because PHD2 will put up a message saying something like: "Scope is moving cant guide". I control the scope at first and make it platesolve for my desired object. When that is all done, I start my PHD2 to start guiding. When I start guiding, I often do a recalibration on a star in the area of the chosen object. I connect my PC to the handcontroller with a usb to serial adaptor. I have never gotten the ST4 option to work on my LX90. The cables used is a Serial cabel of 5m, witch has adaptors in both ends, a phoneline looking plug in the handcontroller end, and a USB to serial adaptor in the PC end. I use Usb ext cables (male to Female) from my PC, those runs through the wall to a small insulated box on the outside. From here I extend to the cameraes and the Scope. I cannot remember the exact names of the adaptor plugs and cables, but look it up, they are farely easy to find. I think one adaptor is called 505 from Meade. www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5867_Meade--505-PC-interface-cable-set-for-ETX90-125--LX90--LT--AutoStar--497-.html www.meade.com/meade-usb-to-rs-232-serial-adapter.html You could go for a better setup than mine, if you go the Stellarmate way. In this case you will attach a Raspberry Pi computer to your scope. This computer holds Stellarmate software, that via Wifi can talk to your PC inside your house. The Raspberry makes its own Wifi to connect to. May I ask you, witch part of the video did you find most informative? I wish you the best of hopes to get your up and going. Hope this gives you any insight, and that my english is understandable. Kind Regards Klaus Blichfeldt

[@marcinguza4698]

Hi. Klaus Thank you for replay. You are asking me which part of the video is most informative. You managed to squeeze the whole setup of the scope (placing, balance, alignment ,plate solving up to the shooting) in just 17 minutes. You kept a video interesting to the same end. Like I sad before the whole thing is brilliant. Pure information's and tips. For what I was reading Meade doesn’t have ST4 ports (it uses its own proprietary standard with same connector plug RJ11) that would explain your problems with connections in the past. I ordered bunch of different cables they are on the way now. I’m thinking as well to get this thing according to Meade works only with Audiostar telescopes.net/store/meade-autoguider-port-module-apm-07509.html No I don’t have Stellarmate But I have lots of PC components laying around I will built dedicated power station with computer in it for controlling telescope and cameras. And I will access it remotely over Windows Remote Desktop from my main PC Keep those videos coming. Thank you again Sir Martin

[@skatter3112]

@@marcinguza4698 You are very welcome. Maybe next time ill do a video of how to setup the software :-)

[@marcinguza4698]

That would be perfect Sir

[@simongahan2365]

Great set up there Klaus, however your laptop needs a clean, looks like its covered in star dust!

[@skatter3112]

I know. Thx for your reply. Did the video help you?

[@simongahan4965]

@@skatter3112 Dear Klaus, I am not in the same league as you, I have a small 127 mak go to which is fun but limited to around 10-20 seconds exposures for astro photography. Mostly just stargaze manually with my skywatcher 12 inch dob! Clear skies my friend.

[@skatter3112]

@@simongahan4965 Clear skies to you aswell. I also own a mak 125 etx from Meade. Love the ease of use.

[@alexabadi7458]

Good thing the moon come back every 28 days, that give you enough time to setup your telescope ! ;o)

[@skatter3112]

It does take time yes.

[@vinchel118]

Please make more astronomy vids..thanks

[@skatter3112]

I will make more videos, when the nights gets dark again in Denmark. I am planning a video about the use I have of software.

[@skatter3112]

I have just added a new video about the use I have of software

[@skatter3112]

Vin, there are new videos up now :-)

[@juancarlosgarcia8403]

hello Mr Klaus, thanks, i need your help! I have a Meade LX90 10" telescope, ASI533 MC Main Camera, LPI G Advance for Guider and Autoguider port module for LX90, but I don't know how to make the connection.

[@skatter3112]

Thank you for watching the video. I would recommend to skip the autoguiding module. I tried it myself as an ST4, but never got it to work. Use a 505 cableset instead and use ascom drivers.

[@juancarlosgarcia8403]

​@@skatter3112 can you teach me how to make the connection. [e-mail] watsapp [phone] thanks

[@skatter3112]

@@juancarlosgarcia8403 I am sorry for the late reply. Your answer was marked as spam. I cannot teach you how to make the connection. But I know you will need the 505 cable set.

[@skatter3112]

I have made a new video of how to connect your scope to your computer

[@mrh9635]

After a 6 year gap, I want to get back into astronomy. My beginner scope was a 5 inch Maksutov by Skywatcher. Is a 10 inch SCT too big a leap for my second scope?

[@skatter3112]

I went from a 125 mak from Meade to my 10" Meade, sooo.

[@mrh9635]

@@skatter3112 Remarkable. Well, I guess it's just a question of being willing to spend a little more. I think a 10''' SCT and a 4'' refractor will set me towards amateur territory.

[@livesay88]

I was seriously thinking about getting in to astrophotography...until I watched this video. Fuck that shit.

[@skatter3112]

I am sorry if I dissapointed you with this video. Good pictures though, do demand proper preparation. With time you can do it all in 20 minuttes. That though takes some practice. With this video I try to make your learning curve a bit better, and shorter. Kind regards Klaus Blichfeldt

[@kennethandersen5093]

Hej Klaus tusinde tak for en virkelig genial video :-) du har hjulpet mig til ikke at droppe min LX90 8" da jeg besluttede mig for at gå i gang med mere seriøs Astro fotografi, da jeg synes det lød alt for besværligt at lave en polar alignment af LX90 når jeg så andre videoer på nettet, men du gav mig modet tilbage, tusinde tak for det :-) og jeg har fået købt guide teleskop og guide kamera, og installeret det software du har anbefalet så nu glæder jeg mig til at komme i gang og venter på en klar himmel. Jeg har et par spørgsmål til dig hvis du har tid til at svare på det, for jeg har ledt alle steder men synes ikke jeg kan finde et svar. 1. Hvordan finder ud af om du kan gå til et himmel legeme uden at tage hoved kameraet af så det ikke rammer ind i din fork arm? 2. Og hvordan kan det være at du lave en 2 stjerne alignment når du har APT tool der kan plate solve (for jeg kan forstå på andre videoer at det ikke skulle være nødvendig, er det korrekt?) 3. Og ja undskyld men du er jo ekspert:-) Hvordan beslutter du hvor lang tid en optagelse skal vare, jeg kan se nogen bruger 180 sek. og andre 300 sek. på samme himmelegne? Igen tak for din video helt fantastisk

[@skatter3112]

Hej Kenneth. Tusinde tak for de rosende ord. 1. Kameraet kommer aldrig til at ramme armene, men basen er udsat. Det ses på min video, at Kameraet er afmonterer når jeg polar aligner. 2. Jeg laver 2 stjerne alignment for at undgå for store fejl. Så tager det kortere tid at platesolve. 3. Jeg er et utålmodigt menneske, så jeg vælger generelt lave eksponeringstider. Desuden er det et mindre tab at miste en 60s ekspo frem for et 180s ekspo. Jeg holder øje med min autoguiding det meste af tiden. De dage hvor guidingen er god vælger jeg længere ekspo. Vise versa.

[@kennethandersen5093]

Tak for dine lynhurtige svar :-) så er jeg klar til at komme i gang vil prøve i aften da jeg kan se at vi her i Frederikssund har et par timer inden skyerne kommer. Endnu engang tak for hjælpen.

[@skatter3112]

@@kennethandersen5093 Du er mere end velkommen. Se meget gerne Part 2, hvor jeg går lidt mere ind i brugen af softwaren. Blandt andet Livestacking i SharpCap

[@zebrastudio68]

These sort of videos made me buy an evscope

[@skatter3112]

How good is the EVscope Allan? I am curious.

[@zebrastudio68]

@@skatter3112 Its great for the size and very mobile. it takes 5 min to start shooting and in the cold u can do that from your favorite chair inside where its nice and worm. Downside is obviously the price tag.

[@anotherdamnyankee3805]

Why is it in most videos they say the tripod leg must point North? Does it matter or is it the tripod just needs to be level?

[@skatter3112]

Front leg marked with N must point North. The video is not ment as being defacto. It only descripes how I setup my gear.

[@anotherdamnyankee3805]

@@skatter3112 I have a Celestron 11" and there is no marking on which leg is to be placed North.

[@skatter3112]

@@anotherdamnyankee3805 the leg that has the az adjustment over it.

[@aeronauticpictures]

Hej Klaus! Nice to see én der bruger et SCT til deepsky astrofoto, da mange andre på KZbin bruger refraktor teleskoper på EQ monts. Jeg er selv en gammel rotte med film astrofoto, som nu tager hobbyen til mig igen efter 25-30 år pause. Jeg har bestilt en Celestron Evolution WiFi 9.25 som kommer inden længe. Efter at havde set en masse clips her ,var jeg blevet bange for om nu jeg havde valgt det rigtige teleskop, da jeg havde hørt at SCT ikke er så gode til at følge som EQ. Men med dine fotos kan jeg se håb for mit kommende teleskop!! Klaus kunne jeg måske få dig til at anbefale astrofoto-udstyr jeg skal skrive på min ønskeliste, for at jeg er klar til Deep Sky? - Jeg skal jo nok have en focal reducer, samt en Vegde til stativet......Mange hilsner fra Lars i AAL

[@skatter3112]

Hej Lars Tak for din kommentar. Håber du kunne lide videoen. Der er en part 2, som forklarer mere om softwaren der bruges. Jeg er superglad, hvis jeg har fået dig tilbage på astrosporet (Og så aligevel ikke, det er hundedyrt) :-) Til dit spørgsmål om astrofotoudstyr vil jeg svare følgende: Du skal udover en Wedge og en Focalreducer, som du selv nævner- bruge et Main-kamera og et Guide-kamera. samt et godt Guideteleskop. Jeg vil helst ikke gå ind i alt for mange detaljer omkring modeller, eller hvordan de skal tilsluttes teleskopet. Der skal du researche lidt. Dog vil jeg sige, at et Guideteleskop til din Fokallength mindst skal være på 60mm, helst 80mm. Så kommer diskussionen om du vil bruge ST4 guiding eller Pulseguiding. Jeg vil altid anbefale Pulseguiding, da du derved, kan få Koordinatreadout fra dit Mount. Hvad er dit budget? Med venlig hilsen Klaus Blichfeldt

[@aeronauticpictures]

@@skatter3112 Hej Klaus! -Og tak for svar. Ja det er sgu fedt at komme tilbage til alt det derude. Dine clips er meget informative. Jeg ved godt at det kan blive en dyr hobby! Og derfor tror jeg også jeg vil tage det i små steps. Jeg bruger mine Panasonic super-zoom kameraer til andet alm. foto. Så jeg gider ikke købe et SLR-hus (bare til astro) Jeg vil starte med farve ZWO kamera! Jeg kunne godt starte med planet og måne billeder for en tid (dem jeg har set her omkring er fantastiske) Kunne man starte med et godt planet ZWO kamera, man så senere, kunne bruge dette til guide kamera? Jeg har en gammel (evt. guidescope?) 80mm f-700mm refraktor, men jeg ved ikke om den er for tung til min én arm Celestron SCT. Budget? Jaaa av :-) Nu har jeg jo brugt penge på teleskopet......men jeg tror jeg vil bruge +/- 10K til at komme igang. Men så er der også alt det der med filtre....Uh hvad har jeg rodet mig ud i :-o Mange hilsner Lars

[@skatter3112]

@@aeronauticpictures , jeg ville holde mig fra filtre til at starte med. Lær at kravle og gå inden du forsøger at løbe. Tro mig, der er en lang læringskurve bare med teleskopet.

[@ronsfi]

Dude.

[@skatter3112]

Whats up?

[@itsgmani]

Photos don’t start till 16:20

[@skatter3112]

Because setup takes a lot of time to do it right

[@itsgmani]

@@skatter3112 it was good. Very realistic not all just setup and click away. Thanks

[@skatter3112]

@@itsgmani You are welcome

[@rafaelbernardino2675]

Hi, I have a lx90 meade and I'm having trouble triangulating. Could you help me?

[@skatter3112]

Triangulating? Im confused. Could you explain a little about that?

[@rafaelbernardino2675]

@@skatter3112 Sorry, I miscalculated. I am having difficulty aligning the telescope. I cannot configure the telescope to search for stars / planets automatically

[@skatter3112]

@@rafaelbernardino2675 , we all have troubles with that. Thats why I use platesolving in APT. A Night Out Part Two has more about that. Is your mount alt/az or wedged?

[@rafaelbernardino2675]

My assembly is alt / az but I am thinking of placing the wedge to try to solve this problem. I'm from Brazil, I believe that there may be something related between the sky here with this problem in alignment

[@skatter3112]

@@rafaelbernardino2675 , Have you told the mount that you are on the southern hemisphere? You live on the southern hemisphere of Earth.

[@valmirfloripa]

Por isso que a nasa nao faz mais fake de pouso na lua , porque agora todos podem ver KKKK

[@skatter3112]

I would prefer comments in english, but I will leave this. "That's why NASA doesn't fake moon landings anymore, because now everyone can see it LOL" you write. Well, NASA did indeed not fake the moonlanding. The russians would have objected strongly if that were the case. They were in a race they lost, and they did observe the landings themselves as they happened. Furthermore you cannot see the landingsite from Earth, even with the biggest telescope you could imagine.

[@Danieltredway1431]

Where are you from?

[@skatter3112]

I am from Denmark. Is that important? :-)

[@Danieltredway1431]

@@skatter3112 It's just neat to meet all the different people God has created. :-) I like how you share your content.

[@skatter3112]

@@Danieltredway1431 , Thank you, that really means a bunch.

[@howardharaway2259]

Boy I can feel your pain. I have this telescope and it is not only heavy Its awkward.

[@skatter3112]

Its manageable.

[@pccgbpetondal3369]

WHY do you have to fill the silence between your speech with load noise?????? AND it's even louder than your voice!!!!! So I gave up watching - so very unnecessary and irritating.

[@skatter3112]

What can I say other than; " Im sorry I dissapointed you"

[@stanleydaniels100]

Rocket science operated telescope and only for those with a fat wallet.

[@skatter3112]

Well, the rocket works :-)

[@stanleydaniels100]

@@skatter3112 Sorry for the offensive comment. I rarely retract what I say. I seem to be a bit jealous based on I've been in amatuer astronomy for forty years and also have never had alot of money to get such a setup. I'm proud though with my ten inch reflector with a homemade dobsonian stand I made for it on the third attempt to get it to actually work. A reflector of that size that did take practically 40 years to get my hands on that was being sold for a really cheap price. Well anyway, enough of my sob story. You have a great setup for a telescope and equipment that comes with it.

[@skatter3112]

@@stanleydaniels100 I wasnt offended. I bought my telescope from money given to me on my 50th birthday. In the invitation to the party, I explained about my dream since childhood, of owning a telescope. I gently asked all guests to give me money as their present, to help me fullfill my dream. They did, and the rest is history.

[@stanleydaniels100]

@@skatter3112 Im glad you fulfilled your dream with getting that telescope and loving people to help you have that dream. I feel I made my dreams come true by working long and hard and using my wits on getting the telescope I wanted and the extras that go with it I wanted. Now I crave for a 16 inch dob over my current 10 inch dob, lol. Maybe with a bit of luck and hard work in a shorter period of time I'll make it happen. Im subscribing to your channel. Clear seeing and dark skies for you always. :)

[@skatter3112]

@@stanleydaniels100 Next video will be about software setup. I am only waiting for the nights to get dark enough to make it..

[@howardharaway2259]

How the hell is that LX90 ? My LX90 diameter is alot smaller than that.

[@skatter3112]

Mine is a 10 inch. Maybe yours are a 8?

[@wombatwillie363]

Klaus, Thank you for this very educational and enjoyable video. I felt like I were watching the night sky, and being awe-struck by the wonders of the Universe. You surely know your stuff, my friend. Thank you again. May You & Yours stay healthy. And many, many more years to you for exploring our Universe! ~Most Gratefully, Willie

[@skatter3112]

I am truly happy for your reply. I wish you, and yours the best.

[@caltagerone77]

That is a big ass telescope! Seriously though? That's it? He spend the whole video setting up and I mean. I thought that with that massive telescope we would've been watching Luke skywalker fighting storm troopers. All we was watching was little dots on his laptop. I guess you can't really see anything unless you're watching with the Hobble telescope.

[@skatter3112]

Im sorry, and very sad that my hourswork of editing, filming, and trying to explain how to setup this kinda telescope fell into dissmay with you. I only wanted to help other people out there, and Im sorry if my try on that offended you.

[@Menelau69]

I had enough patience to watch this video till the end and BOY!!! I can say after all the settings, the word SAMSUNG came out very clear by the end...

[@skatter3112]

Why Samsung? Because I used my phone for levelling? Theres no advertising intended in this video.

[@iamgroot4080]

So... Basically, You've bought very expensive telescope, just to take pictures and look at the pictures on Your laptop... But on internet there are pictures from Hubble telescope in far more better quality, so... What's the point?

[@skatter3112]

Say you go to Niagara Falls, and dont take pictures, because you know there are plenty of them already. Same same I guess. I took the picture. Furthermore its also the chase, the thrill of; "am I cabable of this"?

[@edwarddoyle5585]

Hey great video. I really enjoyed it. I'm still no where near your level of experience in knowledge or equipment. I'm happy when I find Mars. ;.) But thanks for taking the time to explain what you're doing. The alignment looks like part of the fun.

[@skatter3112]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your comment.

[@WizzRacing]

I been looking for something like this. You answered my question..

[@skatter3112]

I am so happy that I could help you, answer your question. What was your question?

[@WizzRacing]

@@skatter3112 How do I align the mount to the scope. I know you just don't slap one on and there straight. Plus the assembly has to be aligned with the tripod..Real important if you have one that has Polar Alignment features. And don't chase the little stuff. I figured that out real fast. Not worth the effort...

[@skatter3112]

@@WizzRacing You dont align the mount to the scope. you align the scope to the mount. That is what I call polar home position in the video.

[@WizzRacing]

@@skatter3112 I get that. But the Tripod has to stay dead still. Or all that effort is gone. If it moves just a fraction of an inch...As wind, motor movement can upset one. Why I sand bag my tripod. If it moves. It's because I hit it. Wind gust, vibrations or the tracking motor moving upset it. I had it happen. As these things get heavy adding all the extra stuff on them. Why Balance is so important.

[@skatter3112]

@@WizzRacing You got it spot on. The focalratio on a sct, is unforgiving. Keep it all as still as possiple. Do recall though to have a good time with your setup.

[@sirius1559]

I would get myself a SC focuser, the Omegon is great.

[@skatter3112]

I am planning on the JMI Motofocus+ That will show up later this year with ascom drivers.

[@chrisc2683]

Great video, thanks for sharing this with us.

[@skatter3112]

Thank you very much. You are welcome.

[@icemanfred]

what wedge are you using? where did you get it?

[@skatter3112]

I am using the standard meade wedge. Not the xwedge. I bought it from " kikkert og teleskophuset"

[@icemanfred]

Standard wedge as for the 8" telescope? Or the ultra wedge? I thought I read I would.need the ultrawedge for my 10". But I can't find it. Only see the standard for 8" and x wedge.

[@skatter3112]

@@icemanfred www.kikkert-teleskophuset.dk/shop/36-monteringer/2621-meade-lx90-eq-wedge/ This wedge

[@icemanfred]

@@skatter3112 thanks you, i see it is model 7002. it is advertised in the US as for 7-8 inch. so that was throwing me off. thanks you for clarifying that model. did it come with the fine tuning azimuth hardware?

[@skatter3112]

@@icemanfred It did