I want to upgrade my Celestron AstroMaster EQ130 to a scope with a motor drive to improve my deep-sky photography. My budget is £1,000. Is a self-tracker or manual the best option?
Steve says: "The Celestron AstroMaster EQ130 is a good telescope for observing but the relatively lightweight, manually operated mount is not suitable for deep-sky imaging.
For deep-sky imaging, the mount is the most critical element because the long exposures required to capture detail in these dim objects require a sturdy mount that tracks very accurately.
I would urge you to invest in a suitably heavyweight mount like the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro Go-To or Celestron Advanced VX mount.
Astrophotography has a steep learning curve but you can ease the pain by treading the well-worn path of using a Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro refractor and focal reducer, but this will take you over budget.
I’d be reluctant to recommend anything below this specification if you want to be sure of achieving good results with the minimum of hassle.
On the other hand, if you wanted to really push the budgetand go for a true apochromaticrefractorthen boththe William Optics GT-81 and William Optics Star 71 II (which alsoincorporates a field fattener) should definitely be on your shortlist.
Unfortunately, your EQ130 Newtonian reflector will not achieve focus with a DSLR camera unless you use a Barlow lens, which increases the magnification, and that’s something you don’t want for many deep-sky objects.
As an alternative, you could physically modify the telescope by moving the primary mirror towardsthe front of the optical tube to move the focal planefurther outside the focuser.
For more astro imaging equipment advice, read our guide to the best cameras for astrophotography.
Email Steve your astronomy queries to contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com and they could be answered in a future issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
