lost in space

[snug]

hi all

Ive had the scope out for bout an hour and have just been focusing on the odd star (alpha & beta centauri). So far what Im looking at is a pimply golf ball (very clear & fairly large)...with black dot in centre. (i think i can see the vanes of scope??) or donut shapes, like white washers.

This was in an area with neighbours lights so ive moved whole set up round the side where there is less sky but alot darker.

Im bout to go outside again but will be checking in. If anyone can tell me if I'm on the right track or what im doing wrong.

My daughters waiting for the moon so i want to get it 1/2 right for her. Any help would be great.

Ta... Snug (gail)

[sheeny (Al)]

G'Day Gail,

The "pimply golf ball with a dot in the middle" description sounds to me like you're not in focus.

Where the eyepiece goes into the scope there should be a knob or two...... if you adjust that you should see the size of the pimply gold ball change. When it's at minimum (on a star) you are in focus.

Have another look at alpha centauri when you've got the focus right... you should see two stars close together. Alpha crucis (the star at the bottom of the southern cross is also another double.

The moon will look pretty speccy when it comes up too. If you don't have a moon filter, just beware it will be very bright through the scope! - Not dangerous though.

You'll love it!

Al.

[leon]

Snug It appears that you have not reached focus yet, if you move your focus knob in further and it gets larger you obviously are going the wrong way, move it further outward until it gets as small as possible, then you will be focused.

Leon

[casstony]

Hi Gail, also check you are starting with one of the longer focal length eyepieces (bigger number on the eyepiece barrel).

[snug]

Thanks heaps leon and sheeny...

b4 i posted that i thought..'Im going to sound like a right wally'... I think this is going to be a pasttime that teaches patience...but i am having fun...i've twiddled that little focuser do-dad till im twiddled out...but i'll go back and keep trying..

Lucki I'm australian and the southern cross was one of the first things we learned. Now that ive shifted to the side yard its one of the few things i can still see..

Ta guys... oh and they did throw in a moon filter

[snug]

i dont no what im doing wrong...its a crayford focuser, has two big knob things either side...no matter which way i turn them, or how many rotations...(feel like ive done a thousand) the image im looking at doesnt change size or focus at all...help!!

[mill (Martin)]

Might be the focus lock that is engaged.
There are two little silver knobs on the bottom of an crayford.
The one closest to the eyepiece is the tension and the one furthest away is the focus lock, just turn the focuslock one out a little bit and then see if the focusser moves in and out.

[snug]

Ahhhh

Thanks Mill..Ive been out there twiddling for 2hrs and it was locked...so laughing & mu back is killing me...but wow...i saw the heavens for the first time..

[leon]

Glad you got it working Snug, now why didn't I think of the locks as you can see, there is always someone out there to help.

Leon

[mill (Martin)]

Happy i could help.
It has happened to me before

[erick (Eric)]

Snug

Experiment with the two little screws. If you get the tension one right, you never really have to worry about the lock one - but the tension may well be different for light eyepieces versus heavy eyepieces (a heavy one can make the focuser draw tube slide in by itself, if the tension is too low). Also when it gets a bit dewy and colder, I find the tension one might need tweaking a bit.

'Ain't the heavens great!

Eric

[sheeny (Al)]

Excellent. Glad you're making progress.

Al.

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Sounds like you need an observing stool if you are going to save your back. Otherwise, no matter how well focused your image the pain in your back will take any enjoyment out of the views.

[astronut (John)]

Don't worry Gail, we're all wallys from time to time. And if you're going to be one, this is the place to do it.
The two smaller knobs on the focuser are 1. Closer to the tube is the lock knob. 2. the one on the outer is the tension knob.

[snug]

Thanks for all your help everyone....true about the chair...i have a friend who may be able to build me one... At the moment im not trying to do anything startling...just enjoying the skies and trying out eyepieces and getting comfortable with the scope..Do everything in the dark etc..is a bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at same time...but im getting there little by little..

[erick (Eric)]

Gail, one tip is to be systematic - always place your eyepieces in the same order in the tray etc. so you can work by feel in the dark without having to switch lights on and off all the time. It also helps when it comes to packing up - you should know where everything is so less chance to leave something behind.

[John Saunders]

Gail,

You may find a red light torch handy as well. Coles (the supermarket) sells one which straps on your head with an elastic strap and has both red and white lights. Only use the red light because it won't effect your night vision like a white light will. Cost is around $30.00 - but being a bean-counter I waited until it came on special and got it for less.

Using this type of torch saves a lot of feeling around for things in the dark. Having said that, I agree with whoever it was that made the comment about being systematic with your stuff. Nothing beats having a system!

Shalom!

John