Issue with new Barlow lens...

[Owain1122]

I have a Celestron travel-scope (that I'm hoping to replace) which has an aperture of 70mm and a focal length of 400mm. When using my 10mm EP I can just about seen the rings on Saturn although they are incredibly small as is Saturn in my telescope. I recently purchased a 2x Barlow but when using it on even the moon for testing all I get is a white blur under all stages of focusing and with my 20mm and 10mm EPs.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

[John]

Which barlow lens did you get and are you using it between the eyepiece and the diagonal or between the diagonal and the focuser tube ?

There are long and short barlows. If you use a long one in a diagonal, it won't insert all the way and that means that the eypeices will not focus anywhere near where they used to. Also, all barlows will move the focus point of the eyepiece a bit, often inwards. These issues, or a combination of them could be the cause of your problems.

[Owain1122]

I was using the barlow between the diagonal EP and the focuser. Should I take out the diagonal eyepiece and put the EP straight in to the barlow?

It is a Skywatcher 2x 'economy' Barlow. I believe that the barlow is a short lens too. It's 3 inches long.

[Owain1122]

I think I've fixed it. I put the Barlow in the diagonal instead of putting the diagonal in the Barlow and although it doesn't seem to fit all the way in now I can actually focus and see things perfectly.

[John]

I think I've fixed it. I put the Barlow in the diagonal instead of putting the diagonal in the Barlow and although it doesn't seem to fit all the way in now I can actually focus and see things perfectly.

Great - a bit of experimentation is always worthwhile

When I use refractors I always put the barlow in the diagonal.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Personally, i wouldnt use any barlow with this scope. Take it for what it is...........a wide field scope.