help

[sasup]

Is there anyone in the southern sydney area that can show me how to use this bloody telescope. I'm keen and im always out on the clear nights fighting the sydney glare. I just seem to be a bit blury and cant even see jupiter clearly. My scope is a Guan Sheng GS-500 150x750. I have a gso 3x barlow and a whole host of plossl's from 6mm 9mm 15mm 25mm and 32mm. Need help before I give up, it's just not fun when you dont know what your doing and there is no one around keen to teach. Thanks

[DobDobDob]

Mate, I am absolutely no expert, in fact I have a lot to learn, however a couple of things that I did learn early on are:

1. Get your finder scope aligned during the daylight and make sure you don't move it before your evening observing session.

2. Don't use the Barlow too soon i.e. use your largest mm eyepiece and via the finder scope then the large EP you should be easily able to locate Jupiter, it's really big over Sydney these days.

After you get used to the scope and you are on a target, you can go down in mm size eyepieces and then throw the Barlow on to see increasingly more detail in the object of your choice.

Other things to consider is finding the South Celestial Pole (CSP), Collimation and having your gear on fairly level ground.

[JohnG]

Hi

From where you live it is not far from the Sutherland Astronomical Society at Green Point, they are a friendly group and run courses for beginners, that would be my first port of call if you are keen.

http://www.sasi.net.au/

Cheers

[iceman]

I was going to say what John said. Please go and visit the guys at SASI, take your scope along too. They can check it out and make sure it's collimated, etc.

In fact, the next meeting is on the 2nd August, and I'll be there too - I'm giving a talk at their meeting that night.

[sasup]

Thanks guys. I am about 1 k from the telescope as I live in oyster bay but I thought they are closed for re- modeling? Anyways I'll try to be there on the 2 aug.

[rmcpb]

In the meantime, try using the lowest powers you have ie, largest eyepieces (15, 25 & 32mm) to get sharp images. Forget the barlow for the present.

[sasup]

Thanks rmcpb but I have already tryed that. It very well maybe that its the scope. I had heard that this size was big enough for looking at near objects but maybe mine is off or broken. I would be willing to change scopes if this was the case. Anyways thanks for the input.

[ballaratdragons]

No wonder you can't see anything through it. :lol:

Move closer to the Eyepiece by about 1k :rofl:

[sasup]

So thats what it is! :D. Thanks will do

[Geoff45]

I would suggest that there are only two possibilities for what you are getting.
1. Crappy optics---unlikely if it's from GSO
2. Bad collimation---most likely
Geoff

[norm]

Too funny Ken !!!

Yes, the SASI observatory is closed indefinitely due to renovations. I just tried to look when the next lecture is on, but only could find the 2nd Aug. which is when Mike is doing his talk.

I can't find the location, but it may not be held at Green Point Ob. but possibly 1st Lilli Pilli Sea Scouts or Oyster Bay Scout hall. I'll post the details when I find out.

[iceman]

I received this email from Brett:

[sasup]

That would have been funny showing up at green point and no one there.:)

[sasup]

Ok for some reason only known to me I thought the meeting was tonight.:whistle:
Now that I read the fourm I can see clearly it was the 2 aug. :shrug:. What can I say i wrote it down in my book it just made its mark in the wrong box. Maybe its not the scope that needs help, What A looser. sorry guys hope to catch up the next time.

[norm]

Hi Sasup,

SASI is having an open night on the 25/8 and 28/8 (Sat and Tues) respectively. The Tues. night is to co-incide with the lunar eclipse. The Sat. open night starts at 4pm. Worth going (abt $4) and bringing the family. There will be dobs, SCT's etc for viewing.

The observatory may not be ready for the public, but they're planning to use the scout hall next to it instead.

Bring your scope, more than likely someone will run you thru' the process of collimation.:)

Check out: http://www.sasi.net.au/openite.html

[sasup]

will do thanks