Beginners question

[Jackle123]

My name is Jack and me and my wife bought a telescope (equatorial mount, 6") from Australian geographic this week.:help::confused2:
I've been struggling to set it up in the past days as the manual is small and only has 4 pages and basically no explanation about what is what and how to set it up.
I think I have it mostly done now by reading on the internet etc etc and puzzling all the info together.
There is however one problem.
Instructions I read tell me that I have to align the telescope using the RA and Decl scales.
I am trying to do that, but these rings are loose and keep moving around everytime I try to set my location or declination etc.
My question is;:confused2::confused2::confused2 ::help::question::question:
IS THAT NORMAL???
SHOULD THE RINGS/SCALES BE FIXED IN PLACE. after all, how can I set coordinates if the scale/ring isn't in the right spot.
Or am I a typical beginner doing everything wrong???

Can anyone please help me with that??
Many thanks:thanx:

[OzStarGazer]

I don't have an equatorial mount, but I have heard that it can be pretty challenging for beginners. Are you able to join an astronomy club where they can show you how to use it?

[rustigsmed]

this may help

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-498-0-0-1-0.html

[Jackle123]

Thanks rustigsmed

just had a look at the link and I am sure I can use that.

It does however not tell me whether the scales/rings on RA and decl. should be fixed or able to be turned.
If the scales are not fixed, than how can I use the dials to dial to certain coordinates.
I bought the telescope last Saturday and I have 2 weeks to return it for a full refund if there is anything defective on the equipment.

Cheers

[julianh72]

Once your telescope is polar-aligned, the setting circles should be adjusted to correlate with the alignment of the celestial sphere. The Dec. circle normally doesn't move, but it might be adjustable and then locked after fine tuning. The RA circle should be adjustable, but it shouldn't turn freely of their own accord. Do they have some sort of tensioning screw or similar which will help hold them in position?

The circles on low-cost equatorial mounts are not necessarily very precise, so until you get the hang of setting up accurately and using them, they will probably only get you to within a couple of degrees of your target, which might not land in the field of view of even your widest angle eyepiece. Try setting up on bright easily visible targets like the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Sirius etc first before you try to track down the fainter targets. (And remember that the Moon and planets move, so you need to get their CURRENT R.A. and Dec.!)

Have a good read of these "How To" articles, and then get back to us if you're still having troubles:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/the-setting-circles-on-your-telescope/
http://astro-tom.com/telescopes/setting_circles.htm
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-498-0-0-1-0.html

[Jackle123]

Thanks heaps Julian

This was of fantastic help and I will make use of the links.

Both the RA and decl setting circle rings are very loose and do not have a tensioning screw or any other means of tensioning or fixed into place (other than using lots of glue as there is at least 1 - 2 mm space between mount and setting circle)

I can use the glue option to put them into place, but that will void the warranty.
I'll take it back to the store and get one that does not have that problem.

again many thanks.:thanx:

[BeanerSA]

Take it back and get one of these http://shop.australiangeographic.com.au/telescopes-binoculars/skywatcher-6-dobsonian-telescope.html

[raymo]

Spot on Paul.
raymo

[Jackle123]

Thanks you all so much for your advice.

we had a good look around and decided to return this telescope and go to a shop here in Cairns that specialises in Telescopes. The owner of that shops also runs FNQ Astronomers club and appears to have a wealth of knowledge as he is really into astronomy himself.

We decide to have a look at the 8 or 10" skywatcher collapsible. Probably the 8" for now to keep cost down a bit, after all we just beginners.

I am glad I asked for advice here as I got great feedback and advice.
again thanks, and I will be back with what we bought.:D

[AstralTraveller]

If the owner is who I think it is, he is a regular on this forum, super-keen astronomer and promoter of astronomy, nice bloke and, yes, a wealth of knowledge. I'd buy from him with confidence.

[rustigsmed]

:thumbsup:

[BeanerSA]

Great Idea, you won't regret it.

Make sure you get a good book, I recommend any of the DK Night Sky type books, or Astronomy 2015 (the almanac), or even a subscription to BBC Sky At Night magazine, which focuses more on Stargazing than Cosmology.

[Jackle123]

All done, I've returned the 6" eq telescope to the shop and went to the other shop that specialises in astronomy "nightskysecrets.com.au" and ordered the 8" skywatcher dob collapsible.
All we have to do now is wait for the new telescope to arrive and start enjoying the skies:D

[rustigsmed]

nice work jack i think you have done the right thing here! im glad everything seems to have happened smoothly for you!

ps dont forget to give us a rundown of 'first light' im sure there are a lot of people following your story and would like to know how the scope performs!


clear skies

Rusty