not a happy first light for new C14

icytailmark (Mark) · #1 28-03-2011, 09:40 PM

took my c14 out tonight. I went to do a 3 star alignment and none of the stars that i wanted to use were listed on the gemini 2 hand control. I decided to pick siruis but the telescope didnt even go anywhere near the star. I tried to line up my finderscope on a star and that was impossible to do. Everytime i lined up a bright star in the finderscope the star didnt show up in the main scope.Then a bunch of clouds decided to roll in and it started raining.

So i didnt manage to even get the finderscope aligned. Maybe i shouldnt of bought this scope.

Paddy (Patrick) · #2 28-03-2011, 09:59 PM

What a disappointing start. Might be the hard bit of an otherwise long and happy relationship though. Hope you get it sorted soon.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #3 28-03-2011, 10:05 PM

Hmm, hate to break this to you, Mark, but you'll need to ditch the C14 and just go to a 30" dob.

The C14 just doesn't cut it I see. Didn't go first go, then it's no good.

Mate, you were lucky not to have the C14 double up as a rainwater tank! The sky's been one heck of a tease of late.

h0ughy (David) · #4 28-03-2011, 10:24 PM

rule no 1 - always adjust the finder and main tube first so they both look at the same thing.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 28-03-2011, 10:31 PM

I've heard stories of people buying a new scope and not having a clear night to test it for months, so hang in there. It'll get clear for you.

No rush, the sky isn't going anywhere.

jenchris (Jennifer) · #6 28-03-2011, 11:13 PM

Should do it during the day anyway- pick a repeater mast a mile away and line them both up on that

Steffen · #7 28-03-2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

No rush, the sky isn't going anywhere.

I'm not so sure anymore, considering our venusian skies of the last few months…

Cheers
Steffen.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 29-03-2011, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffen

I'm not so sure anymore, considering our venusian skies of the last few months…

Cheers
Steffen.

yeah, it seems that way, but trust me, I saw the sky last night (I was even Astrocasting it on the internet) and it is still there and hasn't changed

Honest, up above all those Venusian Acid clouds is sky

GrampianStars (Rob) · #9 29-03-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icytailmark

took my c14 out tonight.........
Everytime i lined up a bright star in the finderscope the star didnt show up in the main scope.....

Quick and easy...
(1) use a fixed position during the day,

(2) line the tube up with a bright star and then align the finder

Pinwheel (Doug) · #10 29-03-2011, 01:37 PM

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-477-0-0-1-0.html

This should help.

steve000 (Steve) · #11 29-03-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

I've heard stories of people buying a new scope and not having a clear night to test it for months, so hang in there. It'll get clear for you.

No rush, the sky isn't going anywhere.

I bought mine in September. ive used it 3 times

Terry B · #12 29-03-2011, 01:45 PM

Maybe not happy like this guy
http://www.danielegasparri.com/Inglese/index_eng.htm

asimov (John) · #13 29-03-2011, 02:07 PM

Setup my 14" the other night ready for first light, was just trying to center Saturn in the EP & BAM! everything went dark....CLOUDS! It hasn't been clear since.

So I can relate.

Bassnut (Fred) · #14 29-03-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icytailmark

took my c14 out tonight. I went to do a 3 star alignment and none of the stars that i wanted to use were listed on the gemini 2 hand control. I decided to pick siruis but the telescope didnt even go anywhere near the star. I tried to line up my finderscope on a star and that was impossible to do. Everytime i lined up a bright star in the finderscope the star didnt show up in the main scope.Then a bunch of clouds decided to roll in and it started raining.

So i didnt manage to even get the finderscope aligned. Maybe i shouldnt of bought this scope.

I had this kind of grief at only 3m FL. You need to be fanatical at this kind of FL and align the finder with the ota during the day as mentioned, and then again on a really bright star. Over 3m is a whole world of pain generally, requires much patience.

tlgerdes (Trevor) · #15 29-03-2011, 09:07 PM

I think as everyone has pointed out, if you try to adjust your C14 to finder you are in a world of pain. You have to find something bright and recognisable in your C14 first (hunt around), then adjust your finder to suit.

On a Gemini 1, there is a search function that starts where you are looking and systematically spirals outward to predefined distance.

When your object comes into view just hit any button and it stops on it, then adjust the finder scope to the object.

terrynz (Terence) · #16 29-03-2011, 09:52 PM

I'm sure the scope (OTA) is fine... but that darn gemini goto... not a favourite mine.

tlgerdes (Trevor) · #17 30-03-2011, 11:55 AM

Nothing wrong with the GOTO in a Gem1.

Barrykgerdes · #18 30-03-2011, 02:53 PM

Is the C14 on a G11 (with Gemini 11) you first effort on a G11. If so you are probably on your first night of a two week learning course. A cheap 6" F4 newtonian would be a better scope to learn about the G11 and Gemini 11. When you master that it will be the time to learn the C14.

I had my G11 on the floor doing dummy alignments and learning all about the Gemini for 3 days before I tried it with a telescope.

Barry

icytailmark (Mark) · #19 30-03-2011, 03:40 PM

i made some progress last night i got a 2 star alignment and pressed goto saturn. It was pretty close but i had to manually move it onto saturn. Maybe i need to choose 3 stars. I fixed the finderscope in the daytime.

Octane (Humayun) · #20 30-03-2011, 05:43 PM

The C14 is a heavy scope and is likely pushing the G-11 a bit. Getting round stars during imaging is possible, but, the gotos are not always accurate. There is a lot of weight being pushed around. You'll find that in some parts of the sky it will be accurate, in other parts, not so accurate -- especially if you're doing massive slews.

It's the weight.

H