my scope arrived today but right now its pretty much overcast heres hoping the sky clears for tonight so i can get some good viewing done.
Any observing hints anyone can give? i was thinking saturn early on (i know its not good to observe soon after sunset, but its only going down from there) then later on i was going to look at jupiter and compare it to what i saw through my 60 mm spotting scope. while im at it i thought i mayaswell try for that newbie astrophoto contest.
Edit: by the way its a skywatcher 200mm dobsonian from myastroshop.com.
Congratulations Sheap, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the difference between the 8 inch and your spotting scope. For something that's easy to find, Saturn and Jupiter would be good starters and perhaps the Jewel box (near to the Southern Cross)and Rigel Kent( a nice double star, the brighter of the two Southern Cross pointers). If you don't have a skymap you can download a free one with an excellent list of targets from here
just got back in after extensive viewing og jupiter, some of the orion nebula while it was up - i couldnt get saturn, that direction was blocked by house, i was just in my rather small backyard - i did some casual scanning and found a few things, i came back in only because my lenses were starting to fog up. i think ill try for those globular clusters tomorrow night, if the clear skies hold.
one problem though. my finderscope as it is, is impossible to correctly allign, with one of the screws fully tightened its still not alligned properly with the main scope, its still a bit off to the side - i can still find objects, but it takes a little more time.
Jupiter was amazing, the increase in quality from the white disc on my spotting scope was mind blowing.
Is there a special way to get condensation off the mirror? or does it just go? im worried it might turn into water and make a little pool at the bottom.
Sheap. I would re-centre the mount on the tube & then centre the finder in the mount.
Take your telescope outside in the daytime, (do not look at sun or leave unattended).
Find a fixed object, like the top of a tower or pole at least 500 to 1000 mtrs away. Using your largest E/Pc, eg; 20 mm ??, line up your t'scope on that object.
Now adjust the finder onto the SAME object. Switch to a smaller E/Pc & redo the collimation.
As for condensation, well do not wipe the mirror or touch it at all. Use a hair dryer, either 240 volt or buy a 12 volt one if going to a dark site.
This can be used to keep your E/Pcs dry, till you either make or buy an E/Pc box or case.
HTH... L.
Ive tried adjusting the finderscope again. its close enough that when the object is centered in the finderscope its in the picture of the 25mm eyepiece, but ive gone through the whol adjusting process like 5 times trying to get it perfect, and with one of the screws fully tightened its not centred. ive loosened and tightened them again and again with no suceess, the closest it gets is on one of the crosshairs, and about 1/2 of the way to the side along it. ill try get a picture tonight to show.
Sheap. You must first align the finder mount up to the centre of your t'scope tube, with the finder 'just loosely' held in the centre. In other words, centre the finder in the holder/mount & then align. If cannot get anywhere near centre, move the mount so you can. The finder should have approx. equal spacing,(give or take a tad), to the inside of the mount.
Recollimate outside.
When centred, just 'nip' the adjusting screws. Do not overtighten.
HTH.... L.
how do you allign the mount? theres nothing to adjust it with, its just held to the tube with two screws. there is knob that holds the finderscopes bracket onto the mount on the tube, but if i change that the bracket might fall off.
Sheap, Try setting the finder in the centre of the holder/mount, (eg; screws about equal). Now, If you look along the length of the tube from the back, does the centre line of the finder, line up with the centre of the tube? If not, then loosen the 2 mount screws & try to adjust, so it does.
You may have to elongate the mounting holes??????? a little..
A pic of the mount & how it's sitting on the tube,(pref from back/tube centre) would help here please, if poss..
Hard to visualise..
HTH.. L.
but right now its pretty much overcast heres hoping the sky clears for tonight so i can get some good viewing done.
