Any exciting new hobby can come with a plethora of accessories, gadgets and add ons. Some of these accessories are just plain useless for your hobby. Astronomy, unfortunately, also has its selection of useless add-ons. There are hundreds of different eyepieces, camera accessories thousands of items that sellers say you need and must have but are not really required. The only real way to find out is seek out advice from the members of your Astronomical Society or some of the good online societies that exist. Just Google ‘Astronomy Societies in my area’ and you should get a reasonable choice. But, unfortunately, you may get your ‘fingers burned’ occasionally and buy something you think you need but really don’t need.
I have listed below some of the accessories I would consider buying but again, seek out advice of your local Astronomical Society. Eye pieces are used to magnify the image that the observer is looking at. There are various types and sizes, so make sure you buy the ones specific to your telescope. There are adapters so that you can interchange sizes but I don’t advise this unless you have found an eyepiece that you really like but in a different size. Filters are another good addition to your collections these range from Moon and Sun filters to filters of varying colours and usage.
Another addition to ones kit are filters. Filters are handy for either reducing the brightness of the Moon or planets to make seeing more easier. Others are designed to bring out specific colours in an object that would not be seen by the human eye. Coloured eyepieces are wide ranging and each has its own use. To detail all the types of filters would take a section on its own, but if you want to find out then read Celestron, types of Filters and you should find all you need to know.
Celestron – Telescope Moon Filter – Eyepiece Accessory – Reduces Moon Glare and Enhances Lunar Crater Details – Great for Full Moon Observing – Works with Any Telescope That Accepts 1.25″ Eyepieces
Reduce glare and increase contrast of the Moon with the Celestron 1.25” Moon Filter
Also useful for extra bright planets as well as terrestrial viewing over sand or snow
Threads onto most 1.25” eyepieces in seconds
Model Number : 94119-A
Filters are usually sold in sets with colours ranging from Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Blue. Some also contain a filter marked Moon and another marked Sun. The Moon filter softens the brightness of the Moon or Planets. The one marked Sun is for looking at the Sun. But I do not recommend doing this as looking at the Sun through a telescope or binoculars can result in damage to the eyes or even permanent blindness. The filter can be safely used for eye piece projection through your telescope to your camera. If you want to observe the Sun then obtain some sheets of Mylar which you can place over the tube of your reflector telescope or objective lens of your refractor. Ask at your local Astronomical Society for advice on observing the Sun.
Other filters exist but these are used mostly used by Astrophotographers and they are described in the section on Astrophotography.
