Complete beginner.. help!

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Youssef

one problem i had was when i adjust it takes a few seconds to stop wobbling.

The wobble is caused by the mount. Make sure it is set up properly. Legs wide and spreader inserted (where available).
Having the legs NOT fully extended may increase steadiness. But to some degree, this is evident on most mounts and you just get used to it or get a bigger mount.

i couldnt get it fully focused - it would always look just a bit blurry - the light would be coming oout of it so bright i couldnt see anything in detail.

If the seeing is not good, higher magnifications will give this blurred effect. Try less magnification. It is a normal compromise between size of image and sharpness of a smaller image. Ofter more detailcan be seen in a smaller sharp image than in a bigger blurred image. Resist the temptation to go for highest magnification in all instances.

Also, sometimes some planets are so bright, you may need to filter the amount of light entering the scope! Try putting the end cap back on and removing the small cap in this instance (a cheaper alternative to a polarising filter)

is this because i need to collimate or something with the telescope? or do i just need to adjust focus more.

Easy to check if collimation is a problem.
Pick a bright star. Centre in eyepiece. Defocus. See the rings around the object. If they are perfectly round, then collimation is perfect already.

And in answer to an earlier question, the closer an object is to the horizon, the more atmosphere it has to travel through to get to your eye. So the more chance for atmospheric disturbence. Items closer to straight up (the zenith) will be less effected and less fuzzy.


Finally, in answer to your very first question - there is a Glossary of Astro Terms" thread at the top of this forum in the sticky bit.

[Youssef (Youssef)]

hi guys

had a major disaster with the the telescope!

or more accurately, the contraption which aims it. the joint at the very base - closest to the legs - which moves, has a stick thing which i turn which stiffens it so it wont swing up and down (i never used this joint for movement?). anway the knob thing somehow sheared right off... and its stuck on loose!

i made a makeshift fix but it wont last long. so my question is ... m i able to get a new stand + aiming contraption (is it called the mount?) or is it too hard - id need to buy a whole new telescope?? would seem like a waste though

2ndly id just like to know - any recommendations of cool things to check out. is it possible to view both the stars in alpha cntauri (binary) with the 6'' ? i tried but couldnt say any detail resembling more than a single star..

[michaellxv (Michael)]

First thing is don't panic.

Yes, you should be able to buy a new mount but there may be other options first.

Some photos would really help here. Can you borrow a camera from someone, a mobile phone camera would do. Just enough so that the telescope and mount can be identified and a closeup of the damaged part.

I am assuming the knob sheared off a bolt. It may still be possible to remove this and get a workable replacement. Keep the broken parts, they may help with finding a replacement.

Finally if the telescope has become unstable on the mount don't risk further damage from the telescope falling off the mount completely. That would be a disaster.

[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by Suzy

Youssef.


Well Said! I don't think this can be stressed enough.
Get your scope out of the box Oicurmt!!

Ha ha .. I live in Perth, the 12" SCT is in the USA...

I downloaded the Australian Custom forms. There's a chance I'll be going to the USA on a business trip later this year. With luck, I'll bring it back.

But back onto topic... Youssef.. You really do need to supply some pics, it will help a lot in trouble-shooting.