Quote:
Originally Posted by mbyrr
Hi Malcolm
I looked for it last night, I think I was looking at the right stars, one above the other, but for some reason I couldn't get more than a small pinpoint of light for them. Which raised a question as to whether my scope needs to be setup properly or something (maybe re-collimated?). Like for example, if I look without the scope I see the usual pinpoints of light, then when I look through the scope I see pinpoints of light. Hmmm... I haven't seen anything like the big bright orange thing I saw a few days ago (which I don't think was Canopus btw, having looked at the sky maps, Canopus is quite low in the s-se sky, right, whereas this orange thing was more south and high up, possibly Rigel?). I'm not sure if this is a collimation issue or something else, any advice would be appreciated.
Is it possible to see Saturn's rings with an 8" dob?
Thanks
A
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Hi Anthony,
Have you aligned your finder to your main scope? A finder is indispensable in making sure you are pointed correctly, mainly because there are so many stars up there and its easy to think you have the right one in your FOV.
Point your main scope with a 25mm EP to a bright star that doesn't have too many bright ones around it. if its bright and stands out when you look with just your eyes, it'll really stand out through the scope, almost like a bright moon.
once Centred, look through your finder and adjust the cross hairs till its centred. once that's done, you don't need to adjust your finders.
Then if you're looking for say saturn, roughly point your scope to the area, center on it with the finder and then look through the main scope.
As others have said, use a longer focal length EP like a 25mm to start.
The finder's wide FOV helps you hone in on your target quite easily, although dimmer objects aren't that visible. But Globular clusters like Omega Cent, and 47Tuc are easily visible through a finder. Even bright galaxies like M83 are visible.
Other option is to use the printed setting circle on your scope.
if you are unsure, you can always use stellarium or a planisphere to identify what you're looking at.
oh, and a right angle finder is sooo much better on your neck!!
Have fun.