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MAS Frequently Asked Questions

MAS FAQ

MAS Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about astronomy (see also MAS Beginners page)

This page answers many commonly asked questions about astronomy. If you have a question on a subject any not covered here, please help support this page by using our on-line enquiry form (requires Java Script to be enabled).

Much of the material here has been taken from topics presented at out monthly meetings. If any member has subject they would like to present for 15-20 miniutes as a 'second half' topic, please contact the Meetings Secretary (to contribute directly to this page, please contact the Webmaster

(+) 0001 How do I find a local Astronomical Society ?

(+) 0002 How is Star brightness measured ?

(+) 0003 What are the Constellations ?

(+) 0004 What is the shape of the Earth ?

(+) 0005 What equipment do I need to start astronomy ?

(+) 0007 What telescope should I buy ?

(+) 0008 How much Magnification can I get ?

(+) 0013 What are Equatorial and Alt Az mounts ?

(+) 0100 How do I use my first telescope ?

(+) 0109 What is a finder ?

(+) 0110 What is an eyepiece ?

(+) 0111 What is a Barlow ?

(+) 0112 What is a focal reducer ?

(+) 0114 What are Nebular filters ?

(+) 0116 How do I use Setting Circles ?

(+) 0120 What is collimation ?

(+) 0125 How can I safely observe the Sun ?

(+) 1030 How can I take photos of the stars ?

(+) 1033 How to take photos of the Aurora ? - (Northern Lights)

(-) 1035 How to calculate FOV for prime focus ?

"Prime Focus" astrophotography is where the eyepiexe is replaced with a camera sensor (eg. DSLR with simple adaptor replacing the lens)

Ref: this Edmund Optics web page

With no additiopnal (eyepiece) lens between telescope prime lens and sensor, you can use the 'single objective' lens formula :-

FOV (degrees) = 2 arctan [ sensor width / (2x OTA focal length ) ] (if using Radians, multiply the result by 180/Pi to get degrees)

Typical OTA focal lengths are from 250mm (short tube refractor) - 1200mm (Newtonial) - 2500mm (MAK / SC or other folded reflector)

Typical Camera sensor widths :- DSLR. 35mm (full frame) sensor, width = 36mm. APS-C sensor, width = 23.6mm. "Micro Four Thirds" sensor, width = 22.3mm
This note last modified: 5th Feb 2017 10:54.

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(+) 1036 How do I calculate FOV for Eyepiece projection ?

(+) 1037 How do I use a Raspberry Pi camera for astrophotography ?

(+) 1038 What is Star trailing ?

(+) 1039 How can I take photos of Meteors ?

(+) 2100 What is Universal Time (UTC) ?

(+) 2114 What are AUs Parsecs and Light Years ?

(+) 2115 What is Bodes Law ?

(+) 3010 When was Neptune discovered ?

(+) 4000 How do I update Stellarium with new Comet data ?

(+) 5000 How To build the MAS (Raspberry Pi) photoframe ?

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