Hi from a newbe

[ving (David)]

cheshire is most importants. go get that first.

[cahullian]

Is Cheshire the brand name or will any collimation eyepiece do.
I can get a collimation eyepiece here in Newcastle for $50.00 is that a good price?

Irish

[ving (David)]

the cat....... just kidding

the collimation EP. if your mirrors arent properly aligned you wont see stuff as well. v/important!

$29 or sumfin at andrews.

[dhumpie]

Cheshire is not a brand name. It what you get when you have a sight tube with cross hairs and a reflective surface in the sight tube. A cheshire is also collimating eyepiece.

Darren

[RAJAH235]

Welcome Irish, Enjoy learning the night skies with your new 8" t'scope.
As stated, the 'cheshire' is a site tube that fits into the focuser & enables you to collimate the mirrors in the t'scope.
Go here>
http://skyandtelescope.com/printable...rticle_790.asp
It's a good article that shows you the basics. Most of all, enjoy your chosen hobby.
Regards, L.

[cahullian]

It comes with a 12mm and a 25 mm plossl and I got the collimator for $40.00 here in Newcastle I had to haggle for a while but I got it in the end : ) So bring on Monday and clear skies.

[cahullian]

So will I be needing a shower cap for my scope then?
BTW what is the cooling down time for the scopes I'm hearing so much about?
Any idea what a Crayford focuser will set me back?
I know there was a viewing tonight but I was unable to attend due to my soccer refereeing commitments.Is there another one happening soon?
sorry about all the questions but I have a milloin going through my mind now lol.comon Monday,comon Monday : )

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Yes Irish,

You will need a shower cap (round bird cage seed catcher) unless you want daddy-long-legs to make a nice home in your mirror cell and lay webs all over your mirror. LOL (funny but true)

Cooling depends on the inside temp to the outside temp.
The bigger the difference, the longer the cooldown. Usually half an hour is enough but in cold places like here it may take an hour. (5 mins with cooling fan)

Andrews has Crayford Focusers for about $100 last I heard.

Ask your million questions. I do when I'm stuck.

[cahullian]

Thanks Ken
I'll pick up shower caps on my home from work tomorrow.
This is starting to look like an expensive hobby.(but what isn't these days)
I suppose Andrews sell cooling fan?
How important a barlow for me? Should I look at getting one ASAP or will the 12mm and the 25mm keep me happy for a while?I have seen short and long barlows,which one is the best to use?
Thanks again for all the advice and help guys I've learded more in the last few days here on this forum than I have in the last 6 months looking everywhere.
Gazz

[slice of heaven]

The cooling fan is the same as in computer towers so that gives you a wide area to source it from.
An expensive hobby? Depends how deep your pockets are.

[dhumpie]

Shower caps are way cool and they are breathable. I don't use my scope caps anymore and just use shower caps. I have some funky cartoonish ones

Darren

[cahullian]

Where do you get yours Darren?
I'm going looking today or tomorrow.
Gazz

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

Céad míle fáilte cahullian.
That will fox the non Celts.

Nice scope too.

Mike