Wow

[risingmoon]

Finally I got to see something. Of all the answers you all have given me I think I might have solved a couple of things (hopefully).
The focusing knob does turn around a long way as you said and I kept turning until I thought it would drop off but guess what! The moon was in good view thismorning and still is so I tried to focus on it and nearly tripped over myself with excitement. I could see the bumps on the surface. :eyepop::D:rofl::eyepop::D Lets see if it works tonight but at least I have something.:hi:

[stardust steve]

good to hear:thumbsup: no stopping you now:) Saturn and Jupiter are good for some excitement too

[Poita]

I nearly didn't mention it, then cast my mind back to my old C8 days and remembered I had trouble focusing as I thought it only went around once!

Great stuff, you will be impressed with some of the views.
You can still see Jupiter in the Western sky from just before sunset until just after 9pm. Take a look early, as it is easy to find as it and Venus appear first as the sun sets, and you aren't distracted by any other stars being out yet.

[Nico13]

Great Sandra,
That's it you'll be hooked now, you've just gone past the point of no return.
Good luck with it all and don't forget to ask questions as you go.

[Screwdriverone]

Great to hear Sandra,

Just be extra careful when your scope is outside during sunlight hours NOT to point it towards (or have sunlight enter the front of the telescope) the sun.

You may be tempted, but you will only be tempted ONCE. Bad news for you and the scope if this happens. You need a FULL aperture solar filter for protection.

Cheers

Chris

[risingmoon]

Thanks Chris, I am tempted to get a filter for the sun but first things first. I was looking to get a moon filter first. I should imagin it would be wonderful to see the sun through a filter.
I was wondering about the condensation on the lense at night time. I think I have seen covers or something of the like that people use so will be on the look out for one. Think it might be a good idea.
By the way, like your zappy profile pic.

[barx1963]

Sandra
Glad to know that you resolved the focus issue.
Solar observing is a lot of fun, lots to see and it is always changing. With a moon filter its main purpose is to cut down glare so you can see more detail. Work well on planets also.
Dew on eypieces is a constant issue. You can pop the cover that came with the eyepiece over it when not in use. Alternatives are getting some dew heater straps (see here http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Dew-Control/Heaters/125/catmenu.aspx) but they need controllers and batteries. Another way is keep a small hairdryer handy to dry them off. Dew heaters are the best long term option but can be pricey.

Malcolm

[Screwdriverone]

You can simply get a piece of plastic and some velcro and fashion yourself a dew shield by rolling it around the scope's outside aperture and fasten with some adhesive velcro strips. That's what I did on my little 5" scope and it kept the dew off the primary and the secondary all the time (in your case the corrector lens on the front)



LOL, thanks, now I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Hasta la vista....baby! ;)

Cheers

Chris

[Poita]

I used a cheap camping mat and did much the same thing.

Hairdryer works too, but the neighbours aren't as keen at 2am :D

[jenchris]

For viewing the sun, is there much detail lost if you stop down the front aperture (to say 50mm) and use a small solar filter on the smaller hole?

[jjjnettie]

You lose nothing at all Jen. :D

[risingmoon]

OK you can have the boot which is attached to my right fractured foot. It feels like it is growing on me. Have to have it on for another 6 weeks.

[Intergage]

I would find my original post but it was basically verbatim with this man. If I was you, check out Jupiter tonight if you can man (Bright star near the moon) and you will see 4 moons + The eye depending and you will have to sit down out of amazement. I know I did, I was so breath taken by the fact I was currently looking at Jupiter from my back yard. I haven't stopped sense..

After seeing the moon in such great detail for the first time I noticed that
1/ I stopped drinking every weekend
2/ I'm a lot more mature in my thinking when faced with a problem
And last, 3/ My social life is basically dead haha. All my mates are KFC eating, meat head dumb asses and can't understand why it's so existing.

[stardust steve]

Well said Matt:thumbsup: i totally agree:)

[Intergage]

I wouldn't change the way things have played out in this hobby for the life of me... Once you get the bug, you'll never look back.. I'm a jumper, I have 2 Violins, very expensive DJ equipment, very expensive video camera and video equipment, lots of other random expensive things I have never touched after buying them, I'm so far in debt I should dig my grave early but astronomy is the ONLY hobby I have stuck with for a long amount of time..

[stardust steve]

At least you can sell your others items to get some sweeeeeet astro equipment;)

[Intergage]

Been thinking about it, but can't bring myself to selling it all haha! :P