Help Please - never used a telescope before!!

[snobelle]

Hi All

I have just been given a telescope as I have moved out to the country and it was thought I would be able to get some good use out of it.

It is a Bushmaster StarExplorer SE114900. Unfortunately the instruction manual is missing, and the people who gave to me have never used it, so couldn't advise me how it works.

I have never used a telescope before at all. Any information on how to use it and set it up would be greatly appreciated.:shrug:

I live in Gisborne, Victoria and there have been some really clear nights and I think it would be great to be able to "have a go" at a bit of amateur astronomy....even if I don't know what to look for!

Any suggestions or assistance would be great.

Thank you.

[matt]

Hi snobelle:welcome:

You'll get plenty of helpful information here .... about astronomy.

Astrology is something altogether different and, well, ... different!!!:)

Answers to your questions will be shortly forthcoming:)

[Omaroo]

Hi there Snobelle :)

I took the liberty of checking the Bushmaster website (http://www.bushmaster.com.au/products.php) and they don't seem to have manuals to download. You could try one of their Victoran dealers listed here: http://www.bushmaster.com.au/dealers.php?command=listdealers&state=Victoria

No matter - the scope is probably a re-badged version along the lines of the SkyWatcher series - so go here to download a manual that covers most scopes in their range that are similar to yours - if not the same:

http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtsupport/Instruction_Manuals/GENERAL_EQ1and2.pdf



Oh! One thing.... it's "astronomy" - not "astrology". The latter is for people who still think that the position of the stars that week will determine whether their souffle will rise or not.

Have fun!

Chris

[erick]

Hi Snobelle

:welcome: to IIS.

Hey, you are well on the way to Snake Valley (southwest of Ballarat) - well much closer than me! Weather permitting, the astronomical association will be meeting Friday evening 15th for viewing. If you bring everything that evening (check that day if a blizzard hasn't stopped us going ahead!), we could see what we can do to help get your scope working and have you seeing marvellous things!

Look at Ballaratdragons' (Ken James) posting in this thread for a map:-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=20365


Eric :)

[snobelle]

Whoops.....so sorry. I meant to type astronomy....hope I didn't offend anyone! :doh:I've fixed up the error on my post!

That's what happens when you try to type too fast and the wrong word just "pops" into your head and goes straight to your fingers!!

Thanks for replying so quickly...I will try the download as suggested.

Once again, my apology for the typo.......oh, and I've never thought of the stars being aligned when making a soufflé..........maybe that's why they never work for me.:screwy:

Thanks guys!

[cahullian]

Hi welcome to iceinspace snobelle.
That telescope shouldnt be too hard to use if its already set up. Just use the finderscope to look at a street light near you and try to get it in the middle of the eyepiece in your scope. Start of with a 25mm eyepiece or bigger if you have one and once you get the finder scope and the main mirror alligned (move the finder scope to match what you see in the main mirror) you should be able to find a lot of things in the night sky.

Gazz

[Dennis]

Hi Snobelle

Welcome to IIS and welcome to astronomy - a lifetime of exploration, wows and relaxation.

You probably know this already, but NEVER look at the Sun with your telescope unless you have an approved, full aperture Solar Filter fitted to the objective of your telescope. This specialized astronomy filter rejects all the harmful rays BEFORE the sunlight is gathered by the objective.

Remember the days of using a magnifying glass to set a piece of paper on fire – well without a full aperture solar filter that paper is your eye. Apologies for the somewhat gloomy message, but your eyesight is precious!

Cheers

Dennis

[Jarrod]

hi snobella, and welcome to IIS,

the first thing to look at through your telescope is the moon, you should get a nice view, but leave your telescope sit outside for 1/2 hour or more to let it adjust to the outside temp'ture before you try to look at anything. you should be very pleased with your view of the moon. the next thing to try looking at is a planet, jupiter is a good planet to look at because it is very bright, infact its the brightest "star" in the sky right now, so you cant miss it. the first thing you will notice about jupiter is that it is a small white/pink disk with a few "stars" around it, all roughly in line with it. these "stars" are actually jupiters moons, jupiter has dozens of moons, but you will only see 4 or 5. if you magnify jupiter enough, you may be able to see that it has large stripes on it. these stripes are cloudbands that surround the planet.

this should be enough to keep you happy for your first night of observing, just remember to spend time actually "observing" the objects through your telescope. the more you look at something, the more details you will notice.

Jarrod.

[astro_nutt]

And another welcome to you snobelle!!....It won't take you long to learn the sky with your scope..just get hold of a few books from the local Library to get you started...and please browse aroud this great forum..lots here to help you!!
Cheers!

[jjjnettie]

Hi Snobelle,
Welcome to IIS.
Good luck with your new scope. Once you get everything sorted out I know you'll just love it.

[ballaratdragons]

G'day Snobelle,

Yep like Eric says, if you can make it over to Snake Valley on the 15th June we can help you use your scope. We will fix anything we can fix, align anything that needs aligning etc. And if the weather is rubbish we can sit in the warm clubroom and still teach you how to use it and what to look for.

You will learn more in person with help in 1 hour than you can in weeks on your own. We get quite a few beginners so you won't be alone.

[G.J.Shepherd]

Hi there, I used to Live in Gisborne for awhile, Lived down the rd in Sunbury most of my life, now down further in Caroline Springs. You are right, you will get great night skies in Gisborne. Ken is right, you should come to the meeting they are holding on the 15th, Im a newbie too, Im going to go for the first time, if you feel comfortable enough, myself and my wife would be happy to give you a lift, or meet up and you can follow us there. Just message me if your interested.:)

[snobelle]

Thanks everyone for your kind welcome messages.

I am sure I will have fun once I learn how to use the equipment correctly.

Thanks GJ Shepherd for the offer. What time would you be leaving on the 15th? It would be great to attend the meeting.

[Dennis G]

Hi snobelle. I'm an old newcomer to star gazing and cannot thank IIS enough for the support received todate. Being old with a problem of bending to use a straight through viewfinder I use a prismatic finder and if you care to open my submission in the equipment section of IIS the illuminated finder is worth making or have made. Seeing the cross hairs makes finding so much easier than just guessing. Also I made a rig to hold a laser pen and using this with the finderscope and binoculars, I saw more objects in two hours than the three months since making the scope.
It's very encouraging to read the support you received from your request for info.I'm enjoying the thrill of imaging the moon with a Toucam and laptop.Best of viewing. Dennis Greeve Albany WA

[G.J.Shepherd]

I have been looking at the map and to assure were not trying to find this place in the dark I would leave here about 5:00pm or 5:30 at the latest. If you wanted to follow we could meet up in Melton or Bacchus Marsh as they are easy to get to from Gisborne, or you can meet here, It's really up to you. I think it would be 1 1/2 to 2 hrs from my place.

[erick]

GJ, I'm sure that you will find it is no more than 1.5 hours from Caroline Springs, especially when you know how to avoid Ballarat city centre - but I can explain that later. Eric :)

[G.J.Shepherd]

Yeah I had a feeling I was estimating a bit too high, the SATNAV should help me though, your shortcut would be great though thanks.

[erick]

The shortcut is to ignore all the turns into Ballarat City, but continue on the bypass freeway, the M8, past the A300 intersection, then turn left on Gillies Street. You know it is approaching when you see one of these "Speed check ahead" signs. The radar speed check is under the Gillies Street overpass, so you take the exit just before that overpass.

Continue left (South) on Gillies Street for quite a while, bypassing the main part of Ballarat (Woopee!) until you reach a T-intersection. The stockyard is right in front. Turn right into Winter St W, go short distance to end, turn left into Learmonth St, go short distance to roundabout, turn right there onto the C296 and you are now on the road to Snake Valley. About 20-25 min from here. There are two turnoffs (left) you can take - both get you there.

See you there on Fri 15th. I'll be trying to get there before sunset, work permitting!

[ballaratdragons]

:lol: I know the way you are explaining, Eric. I can even see it in my head, but when it is written out like that it sounds very complicated :rofl:

It is very simple though :thumbsup:

[G.J.Shepherd]

True, But I have spent many years driving trucks all over the state, should be easy.

Thanks Eric, this will help, look forward to seeing you all then, Snowbelle, lets me know what you want to do, pm me if you need a contact number to talk. :)

[danielsun]

I will also be hoping to make it there depending if i have to work the Saturday or not, the last few months around the new moon i have been getting called in. :(

[ballaratdragons]

This Friday nights Forecast is for perfect clear weather :cool:

[G.J.Shepherd]

:(:mad2::shrug::mad2::(

Looks like I'm missing a great night, so clear here, I can only imagine what it's like there. Sorry i couldn't make it, something came up which needed my attention at 5pm, just when I was going to leave...
Oh well, always next month, I hope.

[erick]

Yes, great company. Lot's of fun and lots to see. But very dewy and we were clobbered by thick fog at 1pm that lasted the rest of the night.

[snobelle]

Hi Guys

Sorry I couldn't make it. Tore a ligament in my hand so had to have an emergency repair! Hurts now - LOL
Anyway, hopefully I can make it next month. Just let me know when it's on again.
Still trying to use the scope. I have it focused now, but everything is upside down!:shrug: :astron:

Thanks again.

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Snobelle,

yep, you missed a great night, but plenty more to be had.

Our next Club night is Friday 13th July :thumbsup:

[G.J.Shepherd]

Excitment plus!!!!!, looks like I'll be moving to Ballarat in a month or so, my wife has decided to return to Ballarat Uni to do Masters and it would be better if we lived there, will know more soon, looking forward to dark skies and potential membership to the club.:):):):):):):):)

[ballaratdragons]

Excellent news Gavin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are gonna love the sky out here!!!!!!!

Keep me informed!