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Old 01-02-2010, 12:40 PM
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Screwdriverone (Chris)
I have detailed files....

Screwdriverone is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kellyville Ridge, NSW Australia
Posts: 3,306
Hi Owyman,

Dont be disappointed just yet, that is still a VERY nice little scope, even better version than the almost exactly the same version I have, but better.

You WILL be able to see details on the planets with that scope, but you will need a 2 x barlow at least to make them out. The theoretical maximum of the scope is about 260x magnification and this would be achieved by doing the following maths equation.

Focal Length (FL) / Eyepiece FL (EP) = Magnification

Therefore, to get 260 x on your scope, you will need the following eyepiece (or thereabouts) a 7mm with a 2x barlow (a magnifying lens) as the equation works out thus;

900 / 7 = 128.57 x 2 (the barlow) = 257.14 X magnification.

Now with the EP's you have, you get 90X on the 10mm and 36X on the 25mm EP. With the 130mm aperture you have, this wont show much details unless you get closer.

My advice is to buy a GSO APO 2.5x barlow fom Andrews for $49 which will give you a range of 36x, 90x (the 25mm with the barlow and the 10mm by itself), and 225 X by using the 10mm and the barlow. The reason I recommend this is because I have one of these and its fantastic value for money and I use it all the time.

Keep in mind also, that the seeing of the time affects how much you can see and COLLIMATION is the most important factor for you.

Why not check out your local astro club and ask to look through other's EP in your scope for reference. You will probably will find the scope's not exactly collimated like you thought.

I belong to the WSAAG club and can show you how to drive your scope and let you try my 2.5x barlow and all my other goodies on your scope if you can make it up to Linden in the mountains for a viewing night. PM me for details of when I am going to be there (or rock up anyway, we always get a good turn out and the club members are VERY helpful) or see wsaag.org for more details.

I hope this helps, dont get down with that scope, its a MUCH better version of my first scope and I still have mine and use it too, even though I now have a 12" Skywatcher dob as well.

Cheers

Chris
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