I have been searching and reading online for about 2 weeks, read all the questions on here, etc. I have made my mind up to buy the orion XT10, and it's a great price. But I want to know how are the eyepieces that come with it? or, What eye-pieces come with it? What can you see with those? But most importantly what pieces should I buy to get a decent view of DSOs, planets, etc? What are your thoughts and suggestions? I posted this question earlier but used the wrong term... new at the sky watching hobby!
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Looking to buy an Orion XT10, but what eye-pieces?
- Thread starter Tim M
- Start date
Hi Tim -I thought that's what you meant, and wrote a response, but that question got deleted. So I'll say it again. The XT10 comes with either a 25mm eyepiece or with two eyepieces: a 25mm and a 10mm. The ones you get depend on which version of the XT10 you buy. The eyepieces are the heart of your scope; they determine the magnification and the quality of the image that you see. Since this scope has a 1200mm focal length, the magnification for these eyepieces (which can be determined by dividing the scope focal length by the eyepiece focal length) works out to 48x for the 25mm and 120x for the 10mm eyepiece.
In any case, you will probably do 90% of your observing with the 25mm. This is a good magnification for general viewing with this scope. It is much easier to find objects with it, and it is easy to see those objects once you find them. Using the 25mm, you will be able to see all of the planets, all of the Messier objects, and a lot of deep sky objects that Messier never saw. This list includes nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
You can use the 10mm, if you have it, to see additional details on the planets as well as the lunar surface. You will find that the 25mm and the 10mm provide a good combination. You will not need anything else for a while.
Eventually, you may want to invest in a premium eyepiece, since that is the best way to improve the view that you will get using that scope. But you don't need to do that yet. Use a 25mm and a 10mm, and take some time to learn the night sky and learn to use the scope.
Good Luck and Clear Skies!
In any case, you will probably do 90% of your observing with the 25mm. This is a good magnification for general viewing with this scope. It is much easier to find objects with it, and it is easy to see those objects once you find them. Using the 25mm, you will be able to see all of the planets, all of the Messier objects, and a lot of deep sky objects that Messier never saw. This list includes nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
You can use the 10mm, if you have it, to see additional details on the planets as well as the lunar surface. You will find that the 25mm and the 10mm provide a good combination. You will not need anything else for a while.
Eventually, you may want to invest in a premium eyepiece, since that is the best way to improve the view that you will get using that scope. But you don't need to do that yet. Use a 25mm and a 10mm, and take some time to learn the night sky and learn to use the scope.
Good Luck and Clear Skies!
digquickly
New member
Join your local astronomy club. This is the best place to learn about "sights" (eyepieces) and how to use your scope. BTW, I've used the XT10 and it's a great scope!
1) When you order, upgrade from the standard spotter scope, to the 10X50 angled (45 degrees) spotter scope. This will save your neck in the long run.
2) The standard 25mm / 26mm plossl lens that comes with the scope will be the only eyepiece you'll need at first. However, you could buy a 2X Barlow lens to start off with. Don't buy any other lenses. You really wont need them until you get more familiar with your scope. Your 10" aperture will gather enough light that you'll easily see lots of DSO's without the need for high magnification. I own a 10" SCT and mainly use my 26mm Plossl lens that came with the scope. you really wont need anything greater.
3) Buy a laser collimator. The one Orion sells is quite good.
4) Buy the cloth carrying case for the XT10. Use the foam inserts that the scope shipped with to line the cloth carrying cases. Also, DO NOT throw the shipping container away.
5) Buy some cold weather gear. I don't know wear you are in the world but I suggest the Wearguard -30F coveralls. Also, Thinsulate gloves and shoes. Oh yeah, and camping toilet paper (very important!).
6) Buy an observing table, chair, and a red light LED flashlight (it will save your night vision).
7) Finally get a good star-map program. Also, start studying up on how to "Star Hop" You need to learn that skill.
You don't have to get these all at once. Let your family buy them as gifts for birthdays & Christmas.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
PS - a double ringed lunar filter is also a good first purchase.
1) When you order, upgrade from the standard spotter scope, to the 10X50 angled (45 degrees) spotter scope. This will save your neck in the long run.
2) The standard 25mm / 26mm plossl lens that comes with the scope will be the only eyepiece you'll need at first. However, you could buy a 2X Barlow lens to start off with. Don't buy any other lenses. You really wont need them until you get more familiar with your scope. Your 10" aperture will gather enough light that you'll easily see lots of DSO's without the need for high magnification. I own a 10" SCT and mainly use my 26mm Plossl lens that came with the scope. you really wont need anything greater.
3) Buy a laser collimator. The one Orion sells is quite good.
4) Buy the cloth carrying case for the XT10. Use the foam inserts that the scope shipped with to line the cloth carrying cases. Also, DO NOT throw the shipping container away.
5) Buy some cold weather gear. I don't know wear you are in the world but I suggest the Wearguard -30F coveralls. Also, Thinsulate gloves and shoes. Oh yeah, and camping toilet paper (very important!).
6) Buy an observing table, chair, and a red light LED flashlight (it will save your night vision).
7) Finally get a good star-map program. Also, start studying up on how to "Star Hop" You need to learn that skill.
You don't have to get these all at once. Let your family buy them as gifts for birthdays & Christmas.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
PS - a double ringed lunar filter is also a good first purchase.