Northeast Astronomy Forum NEAF 2016

Astronomy & Space Expo 2016 New York

Coronado Solar Telescopes -  NEAF 2016

Celestron Astro FI - NEAF 2016

Rotarion EP wheel - remote telescope imaging eyepiece  - NEAF 2016

Classic Telescopes - NEAF 2016

Celestron - Astronomy Binoculars - SkyMaster Pro - NEAF 2016

Starlight Cameras - NEAF 2016

Northeast Astronomy Forum 2016

TelescopeS.net  - NEAF 2016

TelescopeS_NET - NEAF 2016

Celestron 52305 Regal M2 80ED Spotting Scope - NEAF 2016

Coronado PST - NEAF 2016

AllView Sky-Watcher - NEAF 2016

Takahashi Telescope - NEAF 2016

Canon - NEAF 2016

Atik Cameras for astrophotography - NEAF 2016

The Affordable Observatory Dome - Explora Dome - NEAF 2016

Plane Wave Instruments - NEAF 2016

Lunt Engineering Telescope - NEAF 2016

Telescope - NEAF 2016

Explore Scientific Telescope NEAF 2016

Astronomy and Astrophotography Expo NEAF 2016

Glatter parallizer adapters NEAF 2016

SUNY Rockland Community College NEAF 2016

Meade Scope NEAF 2016

Meade Eyepieces NEAF 2016

Astronomy Patches NEAF 2016

Vixen Binoculars NEAF 2016

Solar Observation NEAF 2016

Zhumell 20x80mm SuperGiant Astronomy Binoculars

The Zhumell 20x80mm SuperGiant Astronomy Binoculars are impressive mainly because of their sheer size. An 80mm objective lens is enormous for binoculars and collects a surprising amount of light for wide-field astronomical observing.

In the photos below, the Zhumell 20x80mm binoculars are shown in two different setups. In some images, they are placed side-by-side with a Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope for direct size comparison. In others, the binoculars are mounted on a tripod, which is the typical configuration for stable wide-field observing. Together, these setups give a clear sense of both scale and practical use.

Zhumell 20x80mm SuperGiant Astronomy Binoculars and Celestron 4SE

Zhumell 20x80mm and Celestron 4SE

Unlike telescopes, large astronomy binoculars offer a wide field of view and natural, two-eye observing. With 20× magnification and large 80mm objectives, the Zhumell SuperGiants are especially effective for:

• Star fields and Milky Way scanning
• Large open clusters
• Bright nebulae under dark skies
• Casual lunar observing

SuperGiant Astronomy Binoculars

20x80mm SuperGiant Astronomy Binocular

ET Astrophotography - Astronomical Binocular and Super Moon

In the first photo, the binoculars are mounted piggyback on the Celestron NexStar 4SE, a setup I jokingly called the “Mickey Mouse setup.”

The NexStar 4SE’s automated tracking allows the binoculars to follow the sky smoothly, making it possible to observe wide fields without manually moving a heavy binocular mount. It’s simple, unconventional, and surprisingly effective.

Related Celestron NexStar 4SE Astrophotography

• Celestron NexStar 4SE Telescope with T-Adapter
• Saturn with NexStar 4SE and NexImage
• Celestron NexStar 4SE and Constellations

Celestron Stereo Binocular Viewer # 93691

I recently received the Celestron Stereo Binocular Viewer #93691, and these photos show it mounted on my Celestron 4SE telescope.

Using a binoviewer noticeably changes the visual observing experience. Viewing with both eyes feels more natural and relaxed, and the image appears more immersive — almost like a subtle 3-D or IMAX-style view, especially when observing the Moon and bright planets.

One of the biggest advantages is how comfortable it makes observing. Eye strain is reduced, it is easier to stay focused, and sharing the telescope becomes more enjoyable. This is especially helpful for kids and beginners, who often find it easier to look through a binoviewer than a traditional single eyepiece.

Overall, the Celestron Stereo Binocular Viewer 93691 is a fun and practical upgrade for visual observing. It adds comfort, improves the viewing experience, and makes outreach sessions more engaging.

Celestron 4SE and Binoviewer

Celestron Stereo Binocular Viewer  93691 and 4SE

 

Celestron 4SE and Celestron Stereo Binocular Viewer  93691

Conclusion:
After spending time with this setup, the binoviewer has become one of my favorite visual accessories. It may not replace traditional eyepieces for every situation, but for relaxed observing and sharing the sky with family and friends, it adds a sense of depth and enjoyment that makes the telescope feel new again.

Related Astrophotography & Gear Posts

• The Moon — Astrophotography with Celestron NexStar 4SE & Canon 40D — Early lunar imaging from my first DSLR setup.
• Connecting Canon EOS to Celestron NexStar 4SE — T-Adapter & Barlow Assembly — Step-by-step setup for DSLR planetary imaging with T-adapter and barlow.
• Bahtinov Focus Mask — Astrophotography on Celestron 4SE — Using a Bahtinov mask to dial in precise focus for deep sky imaging.
• Zhumell 20×80mm SuperGiant Astronomy Binoculars — Wide-field observing with large binoculars — great for the Milky Way.
• Explore Scientific 82° Series 8.8mm Eyepiece — Review & images with a high-contrast wide-field eyepiece.

Mars Through Telescope – Celestron NexStar 4SE (100% vs 200% Processing)

This comparison shows the final stacked result of Mars captured with the Celestron NexStar 4SE and NexImage camera, presented at two different scales:

• Left: RegiStax result at 100% (original stacked resolution)
• Right: RegiStax “Resize 200%” result

Mars through telescope Celestron NexStar 4SE - comparison normal and zoom images

What Does 200% Resize Mean?

In RegiStax v6.1, the “Resize 200%” option enlarges the stacked image using interpolation. This does not create new detail, but it spreads existing pixel information over a larger area.

This enlargement can make subtle brightness variations easier to sharpen with wavelets and easier to inspect visually.

RegiStax Resize vs Photoshop Zoom

At first glance, the 200% result appears slightly clearer. However, this improvement is subtle. The resize does not increase true optical resolution; it simply makes fine variations easier to process and evaluate.

If the image were enlarged later in Photoshop using standard scaling, the visual result would be very similar. The advantage of resizing inside RegiStax is that sharpening and wavelet processing can be applied at the larger scale.

Conclusion

For small targets such as Mars — especially when using a 102mm telescope — resizing can help present detail more clearly, but it does not substitute for real optical resolution or good atmospheric seeing.

Ultimately, the telescope aperture and atmospheric stability define the true limit of detail. The resize simply makes that detail easier to interpret.

Related Posts – Astrophotography • Solar System • Celestron NexStar 4SE

• Mars – Backyard Astrophotography (Celestron NexStar 4SE)
• Mars Map – Identifying Surface Features
• Saturn Through Telescope – Celestron NexStar 4SE
• Jupiter 2010 Opposition – Celestron NexStar 4SE
• Moon Astrophotography – Lunar Close-ups
• Solar Imaging with Filters – Celestron NexStar 4SE

Celestron NexStar 4SE and constellations

These photos show a simple way to recognize bright constellations in the night sky by combining a foreground telescope, natural landscape, and celestial patterns in a single frame.

The images were taken during a Full Moon. Moonlight provided natural illumination for the foreground, making the Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope and surrounding forest clearly visible without any artificial lighting. At the same time, the sky remained bright enough to record well-known constellations in the background.

The idea was to combine three elements: the observing instrument in the foreground, the natural landscape, and recognizable celestial constellations in the night sky. This visually connects amateur astronomy equipment with the real star patterns it is designed to observe.

Camera & settings:
Canon EOS 40D
30 seconds · ISO 200 · fixed tripod
Full Moon illumination

Celestron NexStar 4SE and Ursa Major constellation

In this image, the Ursa Major constellation is visible above the telescope. Ursa Major is one of the most recognizable constellations in the northern sky and contains the famous Big Dipper, often used as a starting point for learning star navigation.

Celestron NexStar 4SE and Cassiopeia constellation

In this image, the characteristic “W” shape of Cassiopeia can be clearly recognized. Cassiopeia lies roughly opposite Ursa Major across the North Star, making these two constellations excellent references for understanding the rotation and structure of the night sky.

Rather than focusing on deep-sky objects, this approach emphasizes orientation, scale, and context — showing how the telescope, forest, and constellations naturally come together under real observing conditions.

Related Celestron NexStar 4SE Astrophotography

• T-Adapter-C90 and Barlow T-Adapter 1 1/4 inches and T-ring – Connecting a Canon EOS Camera to the Celestron NexStar 4SE
• Celestron NexStar 4SE and the Moon – Lunar observation and imaging with the NexStar 4SE
• Celestron NexStar 4SE and Jupiter – Observing Jupiter and its moons with a compact GoTo telescope
• Celestron NexStar 4SE and Saturn – Saturn’s rings captured with the NexStar 4SE
• Live View Sun Astrophotography – Observing Sun using the Celestron NexStar 4SE

Bahtinov Focus Mask - astrophotography Celestron 4SE

Achieving precise focus is one of the most critical steps in astrophotography, especially when imaging stars and planets. Even small focus errors can significantly reduce image sharpness and detail.

The Bahtinov focus mask is a simple yet extremely effective tool designed to solve this problem. When placed over the front of a telescope, the mask creates a distinctive diffraction pattern on bright stars, allowing focus to be adjusted with high accuracy.

The Bahtinov mask consists of three separate grids arranged at different angles. These grids produce three diffraction spikes for each bright star in the field. As focus is adjusted, the central spike moves relative to the other two. Perfect focus is achieved when the central spike is precisely centered between them.

The images below demonstrate how the Bahtinov mask works in practice using a Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope and a Canon 40D DSLR.

The Bahtinov mask is a device used to accurately focus astronomical telescopes. The Bahtinov mask consists of three separate grids, positioned in such a way that the grids produce three angled diffraction spikes at the focal plane of the instrument for each bright image element (star). Bahtinov Focus Mask, Celestron NexStar 4SE

Bahtinov Focus Mask, Celestron NexStar 4SE, Canon 40D, Spica Out of focus - the central spike is noticeably displaced from the center

Bright star near perfect focus using Bahtinov Mask. Optimum focus is achieved when the middle spike is centered on the star and symmetrically positioned between the other two spikes. Small deviations from optimal focus are easily visible. Bahtinov mask, Celestron NexStar 4SE, Canon 40D

Conclusion:
The Bahtinov focus mask is one of the most useful and affordable accessories for astrophotography. It removes guesswork from focusing and makes it easy to achieve repeatable, precise results — even for beginners.

For compact telescopes like the Celestron NexStar 4SE, the Bahtinov mask is especially valuable. It speeds up setup time, improves consistency, and helps ensure that stars are recorded as sharp points rather than soft or bloated shapes. Once you start using a Bahtinov mask, it quickly becomes an essential part of the imaging workflow.

Related Astrophotography & Gear Posts

• The Moon — Astrophotography with Celestron NexStar 4SE & Canon 40D
  Early lunar imaging results using a DSLR and the NexStar 4SE telescope.
• Connecting a Canon EOS Camera to the Celestron NexStar 4SE
  Assembly guide for T-adapter, barlow, and Canon EOS DSLR planetary imaging.
• Celestron Stereo Binocular Viewer #93691
  Visual observing upgrade using a binoviewer on the NexStar 4SE.
• Zhumell 20×80 SuperGiant Astronomy Binoculars
  Wide-field night sky observing with large astronomy binoculars.
• Explore Scientific 82° Series 8.8mm Eyepiece
  High-contrast wide-field eyepiece performance for planetary and deep-sky observing.

Comparison UV/Infrared Cutoff filter vs. without filter - Celestron 4SE NexStar NexImage

I just bought a UV/Infrared (IR) Cutoff filter and wanted to answer a simple question: does it make a visible difference on real planetary footage, or is it mostly theory?

Yes — the basic idea is well known: many planetary cameras record some near-infrared, and that extra light can slightly soften focus and reduce contrast. But the purpose of this post is not to repeat the spec sheet — it is to test it. So I recorded Saturn twice using the same setup and compared the result.

Equipment: Celestron NexStar 4SE + NexImage (CCD), stacking in RegiStax.

Saturn photos with UV/Infrared Cutoff Filter and without filter, Celestron 4SE, NexImage

Top: with UV/IR Cutoff Filter
Bottom: without filter

What I Noticed

I’m not going to “force” a conclusion here — the best part of this test is that you can judge it visually. But when I compared the two results, the filtered image looked:

• a bit sharper (especially along ring edges),
• slightly higher contrast on fine detail,
• cleaner overall with less of a soft haze around the planet.

It’s not a dramatic, night-and-day change — but on a compact setup like the NexStar 4SE, even a small improvement matters. For me, this quick Saturn experiment was enough to justify keeping the UV/IR cutoff filter in the planetary imaging kit.

Related Saturn Astrophotography Posts

• Saturn – Celestron NexStar 4SE Telescope, RegiStax, NexImage
  Backyard planetary imaging with a 4-inch telescope and webcam-style CCD.


• Saturn – NexStar 4SE, RegiStax 6, NexImage, Bahtinov Mask & Vibration Pads
  Improving focus precision and reducing vibration for sharper planetary detail.


• RegiStax 6 – Astrophotography Saturn (Testing v6)
  Early testing of RegiStax 6 wavelet sharpening on Saturn data.


• Saturn Opposition – RegiStax 6, Celestron NexStar 4SE
  Imaging Saturn near opposition with a compact 4-inch Schmidt–Cassegrain system.

Saturn Celestron NexStar 4SE Telescope RegiStax NexImage

This post documents my backyard astrophotography session capturing Saturn near opposition (March 20–25, 2011) using the Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope and Celestron NexImage CCD webcam.

The video below shows the complete workflow — from GoTo alignment and telescope setup to live planetary capture and final image processing in RegiStax.

Backyard Planetary Imaging Workflow

Location: Brooklyn, New York
Telescope: Celestron NexStar 4SE (GoTo, Solar System Align)
Camera: Celestron NexImage CCD (VGA 640×480)
Barlow: 2× Barlow (1.25")
Capture Software: AMCap
Processing: RegiStax 5.1.9.2

The video demonstrates:

• Solar System GoTo alignment
• Selecting Saturn in the NexStar controller
• Physical setup of telescope and NexImage webcam
• Live capture of Saturn using AMCap
• Stacking and sharpening workflow in RegiStax
• Final processed Saturn images

Capture Details

Two video sequences were recorded:

• 7 minutes (420 sec) at 5 fps → 2100 frames
• 1 min 40 sec (100 sec) at 10 fps → 1000 frames

Processing settings in RegiStax v5 included:

• Align: Default / Center of Gravity / Gradient2
• Drizzle optimization
• Wavelets: Gaussian (Initial Layer 2)
• RGB Align – Estimate
• Histogram stretch

Even from an urban backyard, careful stacking revealed remarkable detail in Saturn’s ring system.

Cassini Division from a Backyard Telescope

A thin black gap in Saturn’s rings — the Cassini Division — is clearly visible in the final stacked images.

The Cassini Division is a 4,800 km wide separation between Saturn’s A and B rings. Observing it with a 4-inch telescope under city skies is always a rewarding confirmation of good seeing conditions and proper processing.

Equipment Setup – Behind the Scenes

NexImage and Celestron 4SE- Brooklyn Astrophotography

In the first image, the NexImage CCD webcam is shown attached directly to the telescope’s (photo taken from behind the telescope for better detail).

Brooklyn Astronomy and Astrophotography - Celestron 4SE and Celestron NexImage

The second image shows the full backyard setup — telescope, NexImage webcam, USB cable connected to the laptop running AMCap software.

NYC Astrophotography - Celestron 4SE and NexImage

The third image shows the telescope from the opposite side, with the NexStar GoTo control panel clearly visible.

Small Telescope, Real Planetary Detail

This setup demonstrates that meaningful planetary astrophotography does not require a large observatory or expensive professional equipment. Even with a small and relatively affordable 4-inch telescope like the Celestron NexStar 4SE, a basic planetary webcam, and proper stacking techniques, detailed views of Saturn are achievable.

Features such as the Cassini Division, ring shadowing on the planet’s disk, and subtle atmospheric banding become visible after stacking thousands of video frames and applying careful wavelet sharpening.

This is one of the most exciting aspects of modern amateur astronomy: high-resolution planetary imaging is accessible to backyard observers using compact, beginner-friendly equipment.

More Imaging with Celestron NexStar 4SE

• Jupiter 2010 Opposition – Celestron NexStar 4SE
• RegiStax 6 – Testing New Version on Saturn
• Solar Imaging Live View – Celestron 4SE + Canon 40D

NexStar 4se telescope with T-Adapter-C90 (93635-A) and Canon EOS 40D

How to attach a Canon DSLR to the Celestron NexStar 4SE using the T-Adapter-C90 (93635-A) and a Canon EOS T-Ring — a simple and reliable setup for beginner astrophotography.

The Celestron NexStar 4SE is one of the most popular beginner telescopes for planetary, lunar, solar, and bright nebula photography, making it an excellent first step into real astrophotography. This post shows the exact setup I used to attach my Canon EOS 40D DSLR to the NexStar 4SE using the T-Adapter-C90 (93635-A) and a Canon EOS T-ring. If you’re just beginning telescope astrophotography, this is the first and most important connection you need to learn.

How the DSLR attaches to the NexStar 4SE

The process is simple: the telescope's visual back accepts the T-Adapter-C90, and the Canon EOS T-ring attaches to the adapter. Once the T-ring is locked onto your DSLR, the entire camera becomes the “eyepiece,” letting you capture the Moon, planets, and bright star fields directly through the optical system.

Canon EOS 40D attached to Celestron NexStar 4SE using the T-Adapter-C90 (93635-A) and Canon EOS T-ring

This is the complete physical connection: Telescope → T-Adapter → Canon T-Ring → DSLR. No eyepiece is used during prime-focus astrophotography.

Equipment used

• Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope
• T-Adapter-C90 (Celestron 93635-A)
• T-ring for Canon EOS
• Canon EOS 40D DSLR camera

Why This Setup Works Well

This configuration enables prime focus astrophotography, where the telescope’s optics act as the camera’s lens. By attaching the Canon EOS 40D directly to the Celestron NexStar 4SE using the T-Adapter and T-Ring, you get a stable, optically efficient setup ideal for bright astronomical targets.

This setup is perfect for photographing objects such as:

• The Moon (excellent detail and sharp contrast)
• Jupiter and Saturn (rings, cloud bands, moons)
• Venus and Mars
• The Sun — ONLY with a proper solar filter
• Bright star fields and clusters
• Bright nebulae (such as the Orion Nebula)

More advanced astrophotographers can later use the NexStar 4SE for certain deep-sky projects with skill and practice, so this telescope can grow with you as you learn. But for beginners, its strongest and most exciting results come from planetary and lunar photography, where the 4SE delivers sharp, detailed images right from the start.

Assembly Series: Connecting a Canon EOS Camera to the Celestron NexStar 4SE

• Part 1 – Components Only
• Part 2 – First Assembled Configuration (Rear Port, T-Adapter-C90)
• Part 3 – Second Assembled Configuration (Top Port, Barlow T-Adapter)
• Part 4 – Third Assembled Configuration (Rear Port, Erect Image Diagonal + Barlow)

More Celestron 4SE Astrophotography

• Blue Moon – Celestron 4SE + Canon 40D
• Mars – Backyard Astrophotography with the Celestron 4SE
• Total Lunar Eclipse – December 21, 2010 (Celestron 4SE)
• Jupiter, Moons & Great Red Spot – Celestron 4SE
• Celestron 4SE Astrophotography Saturn - RegiStax 6 Testing new version v6

The Moon Astrophotography Celestron NexStar 4 SE Canon 40D

Moon Astrophotography Celestron NexStar 4 SE Canon
Backyard Astronomy - Astrophotography Celestron - My amateur astro-photos
Celestron Nexstar 4SE - 4 inches telescope 101.6mm
Canon EOS 40D SLR Digital Camera
Canon Live View
The Moon Photos
Blue Moon November 21, 2010 (A blue moon can refer to the third full moon in a season with four full moons).
Music Debussy Suite Bergamasque: Claire De Lune ("Moonlight")


Moon astro-photography.

Photoshop:
Shadow / Highlights
Unsharp Mask
Brightness/Contrast

Celestron 4SE Canon 40D Moon Brooklyn Astronomy Backyard Astrophotography 

Hyginus is a small lunar caldera located at the east end of the Sinus Medii. Its rim is split by a long, linear rille that branches to the northwest and to the east-southeast for a total length of 220 kilometers

Hyginus is a small lunar caldera located at the east end of the Sinus Medii. Its rim is split by a long, linear rille that branches to the northwest and to the east-southeast for a total length of 220 kilometers. Celestron 4se, Canon 40D, Brooklyn Moon astrophotography 

Between two seas: Mare Tranquillitatis (Latin for Sea of Tranquility) and Mare Serenitatis (the "Sea of Serenity"). Apollo 15 landing at site Hadley–Apennine region.

Apollo 15 landing site at Hadley–Apennine region, Mare Serenitatis, Mare Tranquillitatis. Canon 40D, Celestron 4SE, Brooklyn Moon astronomy from backyard

Tycho is a relatively young crater (about 108 million years). This age suggests that the impactor may have been a member of the Baptistina family of asteroids. A larger asteroid from the same family may have been the impactor responsible for creating Chicxulub Crater on Earth 65 million years ago, and causing the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Tycho crater, Brooklyn Moon astronomy from backyard Canon 40D and Celestron 4SE

Moon astrophotography Canon 40D and Celestron 4SE, Tycho crater, Brooklyn Moon astronomy from backyard 

Copernicus is a lunar crater named after the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. The crater is located in eastern Oceanus Procellarum. It is estimated to be about 800 million years old. The circular rim has a 30 km wide. The crater rays spread as far as 800 kilometers across the surrounding mare.

Copernicus crater, Astronomy from Brooklyn backyard Canon 40D and Celestron 4SE

Celestron 4SE Moon Copernicus crater,  Brooklyn backyard Astronomy 

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Celestron NexStar 4SE Canon 40D Live View Sun astrophotography
• NexStar 4se telescope with T-Adapter-C90 (93635-A) and Canon EOS 40D
• Blue Moon November 21 2010 Celestron 4se Canon 40D
• Saturn Celestron NexStar 4SE Telescope RegiStax NexImage
• The Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024: An HDR Revelation of the Sun's Corona from Westport, New York