Viewing at Public Observatories

[Sharnbrook (Mike)]

I have only ever attended one commercial observatory, and that was at the Cosmos Centre in Charleville a few months ago. I was somewhat surprised that we were not allowed to adjust the focus when we were observing, and I wonder whether this is standard procedure? Whenever I take my scope to Public Sky nights, it never bothers me if people (adults anyway) adjust focus on my C 9.25, even if they end up getting it way out of focus. I really can't see the point of having a "fixed focus for all", but maybe someone can enlighten me on what happens at other observatories.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

No focus no look.

Strange that when i go observing i show people where the focuser is.

Sounds like a lot of people are not like me.

Cheers Kev,

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I occasioanally volunteer my time at an Observatory West of Gosford.
I take my own LX200 to set up and take great delight in seeing people look through a scope for the first time.
I always encourage people to adjust the focus, so as to get the best results possible and enjoy the experience.

If the view thru the eyepiece is out of focus, it would sure make it difficult to appreciate and enjoy it.

Geoffro

[renormalised (Carl)]

If they're not going to allow people to focus the telescope to get a decent, in focus view, then they should just hook up a GStar camera and have the views appear up on a colour monitor for everyone to see. Saves all the hassle.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Originally Posted by renormalised

If they're not going to allow people to focus the telescope to get a decent, in focus view, then they should just hook up a GStar camera and have the views appear up on a colour monitor for everyone to see. Saves all the hassle.

Thats one solution and probably theres Carl,But if i went to an observatory or out with anyone else one would expect to focus the scope or whats the point of trying to look at a half baked object.

Or must have some very expensive equipment out Charleville way but then still someone still will have to focus if without a monitor.
Cheers Kev.

[Sharnbrook (Mike)]

They have 3 Meade 12 inch SCTs, and the evening I was there, there were about 35 to 40 people looking. I asked why they didn't have remote focussers, but the girl ("Astronomer") operating it didn't know what I was talking about.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Originally Posted by Sharnbrook

They have 3 Meade 12 inch SCTs, and the evening I was there, there were about 35 to 40 people looking. I asked why they didn't have remote focussers, but the girl ("Astronomer") operating it didn't know what I was talking about.

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

I went to the Cosmos Centre a while ago and wasn't allowed to touch the focus either. A few of us made comments but was told that it's policy. They claim the focuser is easily damaged and with people touching the scopes it could put the alignment out.

Adrian

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

I can understand their concerns. With the older Meades it was a big problem. I have to use a mid-90's 16" SCT at Perth Observatory and there is no way you want to play with the original focus once you got it right, it was that touchy. Now it has an electronic focuser on the back and its better, but we still dont encourage any adjustments with that one.

Personally, I prefer not to adjust the focus unless someone is having real problems seeing anything. Most people seem to manage with the set focus, I've found.

I have had one interesting experience with a teenager who got a serious shock finding out how bad his eyes were. The focuser got majorly racked out to to reach his focus point! A friend of mine reckons looking through scopes is one of the best ways to monitor how kids eyes are going but the amount of adjusting that need to be done.

[Zaps]

Setup a telescope and invite people to take a look. The first thing the non-astronomers do is grab the diagonal.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Ok we`ll start again so the focuser is set to the astronomers standard now who is saying that this particular person who operates a telescope visually has 20/20 vision.

If i ever visit one of these places I shall ask the question before coughing a few bucks to view.

Which comes to another point there......Then if its a business the admissions should be paying for replacement parts even the focuser if it does get worn.

Cheers Kev.

[Suzy]

It seems they want to protect their equipment above all else and in the end robbing people who have a keen interest to see what's up there in the sky after going to the time, trouble and paying fees to have a look at views they should be entitled to get.

I'll take looking through inferior equipment any day (as to what they have) and be able to adjust the focuser so I can really "see" what's up there.