Any information on General Telescoping

[ving (David)]

yes as steve said, throw that sun filter out, i could litteraly send you blind if it fails...

sounds like you have an equatorial mount, probably like this:
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/objects..._mount_150.jpg
if so the for now just get out your compass and align it to magnetic south, this will help you track and object for a few mins. later when youlearn constellations you can track down sigma octans for more reliable tracking

[Terry B]

Dear Demise
Sorry my post was unclear.
What I was talking about was the actual diameter of the eyepieces as you asked if eyepieces are interchangeable. The answer is mostly yes.
I agree with the posts above about aligning your finder during daytime. it is much easier to find a land based object to align on rather than a star in a dark sky.
DO NOT USE THE SOLAR FILTER. The only save solar filters go on the front of the telescope and block almost all of the light entering the scope. Filters on the eyepiece can crack leading to instant eye damage.
Good luck

[Demise]

Well there was almost some carnage in the making there, cheers for that warning,filter is smashed. I had no real interest to check out the sun any way,its easier on TV. Is there any need for the filters at all?

[Terry B]

Dear Demise
Yes filters can be of use. The moon filter is just a neutral density filter. It just reduces the glare when you observe the moon. Sometimes coloured filters are used to view planets as they can increase contrast but for now don't worry about the filters.

[Demise]

Yes that is the stand! Nice work. I was struggling to describe it. What indicator on the stand should point south? I have no idea i know.

[ving (David)]

ok, the bar with the weight(s) on it when pointing straight down should be towards the front (ie facing south).

[RAJAH235]

Demise, FWIW, please read this in regard to your 'sun/solar' filter.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=934
DO NOT USE IT....DESTROY IT!!! Cannot emphasise this enough.
As for 'collimating' your telescope & finder, do in the daytime as Mike said.
Take outside & find a fixed object, (pole, tower, etc), at least 500 to 1000 mtrs away. Line the t'scope up on the top of this, with the largest numbered, (eg; 20 or 25 mm), E/Pc in it. Adjust the 3 or 6 screws on the finder to line it up with the SAME object you have in the t'scope field of view. Put in your next E/Pc, (10 mm?), & check again that they line up. This will be good enough for you to find most objects.
A few basics, your t'scope is say, 900 mm long & you have a 25 mm E/Pc, therefor the magnification will be, 900 / 25 = 36 x. When you want to 'get closer', change E/Pcs. eg; 900 / 10 = 90 x mag.
If you have a 'barlow' lens, this will effectively double the magnification of each E/Pc. This is fitted into the focuser & the E/Pc fits into it.
The moon filter will 'dim' the moon a little, making it easier to see details.
HTH..... L.
ps. Ask as many questions as you like. Lots of great people in here.

[Demise]

Yes there are some good solid anwers flowing thank you. I have this " barlow filter " but last night it wasnt working for me so i took it out and just used the smaller of the eye pieces and that worked fine. Keen to get home and re-check it all out again!!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Hi Demise.

I'm in Nambour, is that close enough? I'm on holidays for the next week until after Easter (curse the moon ). If you want a hand let me know. There are a few of us up this way and each new moon we meet out at Astroron's place a Cambroon near Kenilworth for a nights viewing in the dark. You're more than welcome to join us.

[ving (David)]

sounds like an offer that'd be hard to refuse
on ya paul

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Lucky it's dark ving or I'd scare too many of them off.

[ving (David)]

thats the great thing about this hobby hey