Hi everyone - where to start?

[Elecmuso]

Thanks fellas.

I'll have a go at checking and adjusting my finderscope on the weekend.

When it comes to 'star hopping' as you put it, for us beginners what is the method of 'finding' objects? I don't have any fancy navigation / pointing equipment and I would assume most hobbyists don't. Is it a matter of finding a bright nearby reference object on the finders scope and then using the widest eyepiece and then fine tuning the position to find the desired less-bright object?

[Wavytone]

Originally Posted by Elecmuso

Thanks fellas.

I'll have a go at checking and adjusting my finderscope on the weekend.

When it comes to 'star hopping' as you put it, for us beginners what is the method of 'finding' objects?

1. Get a planisphere, sky atlas, map, or an app on a smartphone, and figure out how to use this to show the sky tonight. Planispheres are old-tech, superseded by the likes of Sky Safari.

2. Go outside, look up.

3. if you don't know which way is north/south/east/west, here's two clues:

- the sun and moon set in the west (along with everything else). So that's where "west" is.
- the sun, moon and everything else rise in the east. And that's where "east" is.

4. Learn to recognise the constellation on our flag - the Southern Cross. It's alway above the horizon. Always.

5. When you have worked out what you want to look at, find it on a map and note the bright stars nearby, find these buy LOOKING UP.

6. Thumbs come in handy, when held at arms length, being around 1 degree wide.

I suggest you can figure the rest.

[Rkonrad (Richard)]

And remember the more you look the easier it becomes for me if I am in the northern or southern side makes no difference

[Elecmuso]

OK I'm getting familiar with my equipment. But the mirror is VERY dusty. Can it be cleaned without removing it? I found an article here and various other sources but they all involved disassembly.

[Elecmuso]

This is embarrassing to admit - but I never got much further than this. Right now I'd just like to see something in focus!
I did clean the mirror (very carefully and according to a guide I think I found here) and managed to collimate but since failing to get an image put it aside and didn't revisit.
Can someone hold my hand getting an image, perhaps of the moon tonight?! Moon should be visible to the east around 10:30pm I believe.
One fear is that there could be something wrong with the equipment but I'd be betting it is just me.

Here's my setup using the wide angle lens.
Meade 10” LightBridge Truss Tube Dobsonian
QX 26mm wide angle eyepiece
I assume the process is as simple as:
1. put the 26mm eyepiece fully into the dobsonian draw tube
2. point the telescope so that the spotter scope crosshairs fall on the moon
3. look through the eye piece - a blurry moon should be visible
4. use the focus knobs to bring it into focus

[xelasnave]

Have you removed the dusk cap?
Tell us what you see.
Moreover dont fret it can be a frustrating business...
As I said tell us what you see day when you have the Moon in the field of view..just a glow or what?
Alex

[Elecmuso]

Ha! These things have dust caps? ;-)

Yes once the moon is visible (around 10:30 I believe) I'll get back.

[Elecmuso]

Well I've just had a slight aha moment resulting in the ability to focus on a group of stars. I don't want to admit this but I will - it seems turning off the surrounding deck lights makes a big difference!

BTW, is this a downside of having a truss type dobsonian in that light can enter from the open sides?

[xelasnave]

I am fanatical about stray light to the point of baffling the ota and adding a baffled dew tube approx one third the length of the ota...the only light you want is that coming from the object you are observing.
But small steps..you are getting there..see what you can find.
Alex

[glend (Glen)]

Originally Posted by Elecmuso

Well I've just had a slight aha moment resulting in the ability to focus on a group of stars. I don't want to admit this but I will - it seems turning off the surrounding deck lights makes a big difference!

BTW, is this a downside of having a truss type dobsonian in that light can enter from the open sides?

Get a good shroud for that scope, unless your living in the Simpson Desert. And obviously turn off all the lights, and ask your neighbor to turn his off as well. I have a neighbor that thinks his dog needs yard lights to go to the toilet. Dogs can do it in the dark, their nose is much better than their eyes anyway.

[Elecmuso]

Success no. 2. Jupiter was due to pass above the horizon before the moon so I located it - and to my surprise can clearly see 3 moons of Jupiter. Nice!

Moon should be visible in 15 minutes.

[Ukastronomer (Jeremy)]

TOO many replies for me to read but

SIMPLE...................

Join a club and never buy any gear until you speak to others and ask questions first if you don't know what gear you need.

Also don't rush out wasting money on magazines and books, there are many hundreds FREE on the internet, just google FREE astronomy magazines (or books) PDF Download

[Elecmuso]

Moon now observed and a beautifully crisp image.

Couldn't be happier with my purchase. Seems the only mistake was allowing ambient light in but I finally managed to figure that one out.

Saturn is next within a half hour. Not bad for a first session.

Cheers for the help.

[Outcast (Carlton)]

Check these threads out...

Wealth of information in here on what to see, how to look, etc...

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=170511

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=169840

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=174236

I have the pertinent parts of these threads consolidated into a couple of word documents.. send me a PM with your email address & I'll email them to you if you like...

[Elecmuso]

Cheers Carlton. PM sent.

[Outcast (Carlton)]

Originally Posted by Elecmuso

Cheers Carlton. PM sent.

Email sent with a few extra attachments you might find useful...

[sw0rdfishhhhh (Florin)]

Hi Greg,

Here's a short collection of to the point articles practical for amateur astronomers. From what to search on the night sky, to star hopping with an alt-az (or dob) mount, binoculars, the Messier Marathon
https://www.astroapprentice.com

[Icearcher (Chris)]

Hi Greg

Im in Adelaide too if you would like to catch up one clear Friday night?

I often head down to kuitpo to image, its nice and dark down there.

There is another chap, Ryan, in mt barker that will (hopefully) be joining me as well, your welcome to come too.

Regards
Chris