out of my league

[victor]

I'm so new at this as this is my first scope (Christmas gift) and I have a ton of questions.
Equipment: Sky Watcher 8" Dobsonians

Question: I set up the unit and followed the instructions, aligned the finderscope (probably needs tweaking but got me where I wanted to go),
When I looked through the scope the image was very blurry, out of focus and had a spoon shape to it, I tried several times to focus but no luck, please don't ask me what star I was looking at because I have no idea, it was about 9pm on what would have been a pretty clear night and the scope was outside for about 30 min before looking through it.
I also was using a 25mm eye piece.
does this need collimation?

[Chris85]

Hi and welcome Victor :)
To me that sounds like a collimation issue. Have a look through at this to get you started http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-390-0-0-1-0.html

Or even better yet, I see you're from Perth so there's a very good chance the scope was purchased from BTOW in Malaga. Pop down and see Keith and he'll show you how to collimate it for you. Also on Thursday nights they have open viewing so he can even give you a few lessons.

All the best!
Chris

[OzStarGazer]

I am new too and I have a smaller Skywatcher than you but I could focus it from the very first day. However reading reviews some people did have to collimate it when they bought it, so maybe not all the scopes are collimated when they sell them?

I think you must try to focus slowly in order not to miss the right focus. I think light pollution could also affect clear viewing. Sometimes objects also appear a bit flickery because of air turbulences.

But I am really a beginner too. I had the scope for a couple of weeks and there have been a lot of clouds around, so I have only used it a few times. The experts here will be able to give you better advice.

The spoon shape could mean you do need to collimate it I think. (Edit: I see Chris already told you while I was writing. :) )

[rogerco]

Collimation isn't a one off thing. You will need to check it regularly as bumping the tube will knock it out of alignment. Once you have been shown how to its not difficult, especially with one or two tools which you probably don't currently have.

[victor]

correct I did get it through them and called them, after going there it only took a second for Keith to tell me what was wrong, I installed the 2" eye piece holder in, so I bought a solar filter, removed the holder slapped in the filter and was blown away at the sun, I know probably everyone here has seen this, but for a guy like me this was nothing short of amazing!!!!

[acropolite]

Victor, the spoon shaped star may have been venus, visible in a partial phase.

Regarding your solar filter, was it a full size filter fitted over the front end of the dob tube or simply a filter that screws on to the eyepiece, the reason that I mention is that screw on solar filters are quite dangerous, probe to shattering and in the process can cause severe eye damage.

[victor]

It was the full sized one that fits over the top of the scope (8")

and thanks everyone for helping, I'm sure before to long I'll be well known for all the simple questions.

[Chris85]

Glad you got the problem sorted :-) If you're on Facebook search Agwa, or Astronomy Group of WA, Keith is the President and and it's very friendly group to ask questions and organise meets.
Cheers!