harry4782

Thanks for all the great tips.  I've been out a few days and early evenings to practise the focusing and it seems to be a lot better.  I've also made a dew protector (although i've order one too as i'd never make it as a presenter on Blue Peter!!).  Hopefully a couple of clear nights this week to get out and start searching the night sky again.

Thanks everyone for the comments. Really helpful. I'll defo take the telescope pit during the day and try and focus (once the rain finally stops).  M40, just seen the field of view so i'll use that.  Weather looking good Tuesday so hopefully out again then and i'll report back!

Afternoon everyone.  As the title suggested I was almost too embarrassed to post this issue, but after reading peoples responses to other queries I believe I'm in safe hands.

A few months ago I purchased a Celestron Nexstar Evolution 8 telescope.  However, I am having difficult seeing even some of the 'easier' to spot objects in the night sky.  Despite several amounts and hours staring down the eye piece I have yet to experience as successful sighting. My biggest 'failure' so far is being able to clearly see the surface of the moon through the telescope.  Rather than being able to see crystal clear details (or even any detail for that matter), it is more like I have put my eye to the end of a torch and turned it on.  I have a range of eye pieces (8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 24mm and 40mm) as well as a moon filter but given its closeness in the night sky have have tended to stick with the larger ones (24mm / 40mm).  I have tried viewing the moon at different stages but I still struggle to pick out any detail, even cycling through the focus'.

I am sure this is completely human error, but is there anything basic I am failing to do? Perhaps anything during set up.  I'm 99.999% certain all covers have been removed and mirrors / etc are positioned correctly with no damage. Each evening I set up and calibrated the telescope (I have the StarSense AutoAlign). This seems to work well as the telescope does move to each object upon request (minor adjustments are required).

Recently I've also had issues trying to see both Jupiter and Saturn and have been out a few nights this week but to no avail. I'm presuming focusing must be the issue here and perhaps I need to be slower when trying to focus.

Whilst slightly disheartening I am determined to crack this and start to enjoy the night sky, hence why I am reaching out for help.  Does anyone know people who provide lessons for using telescopes?  I'm based in Leeds, UK.

I welcome any feedback, comments or advice and I'd be happy to try again.

Regards

Harry