Have I ruined my telescope?

[olij92]

So I started out using my telescope a couple years ago, but never had much time to use it. Eventually, it was left under my bed and has been bashed about a fair bit since.

I hate seeing it under there, so I want to have it outside so I can use it easily as I would like to put it to some good use again.

One of the dogs we have chewed some of my eye pieces a while back, which put me off from using it since. so I've ordered some new ones.

So tonight, as my bedroom window is West-facing, I could see Venus in the evening sky. So I set up my Skywatcher in my bedroom and face it through the window, it took a few minutes to find it even on the wide eye piece, as my finder scope was completely out of alignment.

Anyway, what I saw was nothing like I'd seen before, instead of Venus being a cresent, sphere or disc (when out of focus). It looked cracked like a snowflake, I wondered if it was a bad eye piece as the dog did chew them, so I used another one, and the same image appeared - this image appeared regardless of the focus, changing the focus did pretty much nothing.

I have attached an image of what I saw through my telescope by my camera phone, it looks brighter in my phone camera than to the eye.

Is this damage to the mirrors? Do the mirrors need collimating? Is it something else or something more serious? Or is this just due to the fact I am looking at the planet through a window? I'm uncertain as to whether a window could affect what you see through a telescope or not. I'm quite the rookie.

Thanks 

[sharkmelley]

Definitely don't try to observe through a window.  Try it outside before making any judgement.

Mark

[knobby]

Looks pretty bad ! But it could just be because you're viewing through a window ... Especially if it's double glazing , try it outside , the moon is looking great at the moment and Jupiter is just above it

[Dr_Ju_ju]

Well...  knowing how dusty it can get under a bed, have a look and check that both of the mirrors are clean. Then do a collimation...

Also, even though your window glass may appear perfect, it won't help, so if possible, open it to see if things improve.

Julian

[RT65CB-SWL]

I am trying to work out what the image is of!

[olij92]

If it's just due to the window and possibly collimation, that's fine as they're things I can change.

The window is very dirty and not in great condition, so I was never expecting a miracle image from inside anyway, but worried me that it was a 'cracked' Venus.

I was just doing this as a test to see if everything was working okay, I didn't expect it to produce an image this bad so was a bit worried.

Thanks for the support people, I will try it outside and post the results.

[Xplode]

I am trying to work out what the image is of!

Looks like an alien spaceship

[spaceboy]

There are several things that could be wrong

1) don't observe through a window

2) allow the scope to cool to ambient temperature

3) check collimation

4) Venus is a tricky target anyway because of how bright it is  and especially if low in the sky

[ghostdance]

I can only use my scope on Venus through a window as our backyard is just too low vs the rooftops opposite. I don't get a great view but, man, it's *way* better than that! Time for some Windolene inside and out (sigh...I miss their original pink stuff) and check your mirrors, collimation and ep's. Your image looks like it was pelting down with rain...

[LukeSkywatcher]

Planets when observed with a scope through a window really just dont work (too many imperfections in window glass). If its anything else observed through a window, you can get away with it but under certain conditions like opening the window and allowing the scope and room to cool down to outside ambient temp. You should also really observe through the open part of the window if possible. You are practically outside, so why not go outside.

[xtreemchaos]

I agree with all the comments here.I find that using my 200p through a window is a wast of time even with the window open. but I can get a decent pic with my messier 127l with the window open or" if its the moon, sol or even juipter" closed, but you will allways get the best views outside and when your scope has reached ambient temperature.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

[bingevader]

Ah, is the window closed?

Definitely try opening it first, or better still, set up outside. 

Then, let us know what you see.

I have observed from our loft before now, through an open window.

It was the only place I could get a view of comet Panstarrs.

But, the window was most definitely open.

[Paul M]

The glass in modern double glazed units is polymer coated to reduce heat conduction and may have other properties such as high IR reflectance.

Not the best medium for transmitting high quality planetary images!

So long as the dog didn't chew the mirrors it's unlikely that there is unrecoverable damage to your scope. A bit of a dusting and some collimation might be all you need.

[carastro]

The other thing you can be getting indoors is thermal currents.  Is there a radiator in front of the window you are looking through?  

I remember trying through the window once and Venus was wiggling all over the places, almost like a flame, and I am sure that was the radiator.  

a) Look outdoors after cooling the scope.

check the collimation.

Carole 

[Dave Lloyd]

Any gross damage to a mirror or lens would be easy to see surely. If no damage what about serious misalignment? p.s see the kids pets and scopes thread.

[olij92]

Good news!

I have just set up my telescope outside, it seems it was all due to the fact I was looking through a closed window.

I have just had a look at Jupiter, looked as normal as ever, a nice smooth circle with clear grey/brown cloud banding and several moons.

Only issue I had was my 2x Barlow, when using it I could see dark scratches when using it with my 8mm eye piece. But I've got a new Barlow lens on the way along with some more Plossl eye pieces, so all should be well.

Collimation didn't seem too bad either as Jupiter was quite an even shape, but I'll give that a tweak too.

Unfortunately I can't show an image, as the camera on my phone couldn't pick up the image from the eye piece, which brings me on to my next topic of starting basic astro-photography - but I will create a new thread for this in an appropriate section.

Thanks for the help and advise people!

[Jesterowl]

That`s exactly the view I had of Venus a couple of nights ago. 

I had just come home from work to see a clear (but still quite blue) sky with Venus shining bright and still high just enough to be clear of a tree and Jesters aviary to see with the scope so I grabbed the 130P and quickly set it up outside. Had a quick look straight away and there she was exactly like that. came back out a bit later  and it was too late but never mind, Jupiter was in a great spot