eyepiece basics

Shalom (Ted) · #1 28-06-2008, 01:12 PM

Greetings one and all - first time on the board:
My SkyWatcher 102mm Refractor comes with two eyepieces - (fl in mm),
a Super 20mm and a 10mm. What's the logical progression to improve the quality of my viewing?

rmcpb (Rob) · #2 28-06-2008, 04:19 PM

Seriously, lots of observing with what you have then look at the type of observing you like most then move in that direction. Make haste slowly with eyepieces.

Keep looking up.

Shalom (Ted) · #3 28-06-2008, 04:32 PM

Gratias.

renormalised (Carl) · #4 28-06-2008, 04:59 PM

Get yourself a barlow lens. A x2 would be good. That'll give you a reasonable spread of magnifications with the eyepieces you have. Then once you've done enough observing to figure out what you'd like to concentrate on, grab eyepieces to compliment your type of viewing.

In either case, some filters will also not go astray. Either for visual or astrophotography...or both.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #5 28-06-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmcpb

Seriously, lots of observing with what you have then look at the type of observing you like most then move in that direction. Make haste slowly with eyepieces.

Keep looking up.

I agree with this sound advice...use the stuff that you have for a while...as you get some viewing time accumulated you will be iun a better position to outline what you like/don't like. I highly encourage you to try and find some people near you for a viewing night or two...using other people's gear before spending your own hard earned cash is a great way to narrow down your future shopping list.

Clear Skies!

Shalom (Ted) · #6 29-06-2008, 11:31 AM

Wisdom from experience - much obliged.

ngcles · #7 29-06-2008, 11:47 AM

Hi Shalom,

rmcqb wrote:

"Seriously, lots of observing with what you have then look at the type of observing you like most then move in that direction. Make haste slowly with eyepieces."

Spot on top notch advice !!

I'd only add this piece of common (but sound) wisdom repeated elsewhere a thousand times, when (if) the time does finally come, a small number of top quality eyepieces is better than a herd of mediocre ones.

Also, join an astonomical society if there is one nearby to you.

Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T

Shalom (Ted) · #8 29-06-2008, 03:48 PM

Thanks to everyone. Question: Is there an Astronomy group anywhere near Carcoar? ( C is in the middle of a triangle bounded by Orange, Bathurst, Cowra)

rmcpb (Rob) · #9 30-06-2008, 08:42 AM

There is the Central West Astro Society BUT its based in Parkes, quite a hike for you. If you contact them they may have some members in your area for you to network with which would make membership worthwhile.

Cheers

Jen · #10 30-06-2008, 06:41 PM

Hi Ted welcome to the site u will love it here cheers

ngcles · #11 30-06-2008, 07:27 PM

Hi Ted,

Well, being nearby to Cowra, why don't you give Mark Monk a ring at Darby Falls Observatory near Cowra.

Mark will certainly know about the local amateurs out that way.

Mark Monk (02) 6345 1900.

There are also several amateurs around Bathurst area too.

Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor AS&T

AstralTraveller (David) · #12 30-06-2008, 09:19 PM

As regards buying quality eyepieces, someone on the forum has the by-line 'life's too short to look through bad glass' and astromelb says that eyepieces are the most important part of your optical system (which might be why he has 370 of them!). The only thought I can add is that your next scope is likely to have a longer focal length and so you will probably tend towards longer focal length eyepieces.