Aligning a 200P Dob

[Drummer]

Sorry for the ignorance fellas, but how do I accurately, as a beginner align the scope to specific objects?

Many thanks.

[ecosse]

One of the easiest ways is with a telrad finder. It has illuminated rings that aren't magnified making it easier for beginners to know what part of the sky they are looking at. A Rigel finder is also the same idea. Do a quick google search on these

[Telrad]

One of the easiest ways is with a telrad finder. It has illuminated rings that aren't magnified making it easier for beginners to know what part of the sky they are looking at. A Rigel finder is also the same idea. Do a quick google search on these

Get a Telrad finder..

[Omega]

Is it possible to equip the same tube with both the stock finderscope and a telrad or red-dot?

[rory]

Is it possible to equip the same tube with both the stock finderscope and a telrad or red-dot?

yes mate.

also the telrad bullseye is available on the stellarium programe, which could come in handy if you want to print off for star hopping ect.

[Telrad]

You could use these handy Sky Maps with Messier targets for the Telrad:

Sky Maps

[twotter]

You can align your telescope with the 9x50 finderscope that comes as standard, though I prefer a simple red dot finder instead

Telrads aren't to my taste but are rather popular as you can see

[brantuk]

Best to align the finder on a distant point source during the daytime - a pylon tip or church spire a mile or two away will be good. Finding stuff (if you're new to astronomy) is best done by learning the constellations. Then you allways have a bright star near the target object from which you can hop.

You also need to know the approx object size and select the appropriate eyepiece to use for best chance of finding it - especially for faint fuzzies. A telrad is a great idea which will help immensely - and you can mount it towards the top middle of the dob and it won't interfere with the finder.

[Omega]

Best to align the finder on a distant point source during the daytime - a pylon tip or church spire a mile or two away will be good. Finding stuff (if you're new to astronomy) is best done by learning the constellations. Then you allways have a bright star near the target object from which you can hop.

You also need to know the approx object size and select the appropriate eyepiece to use for best chance of finding it - especially for faint fuzzies. A telrad is a great idea which will help immensely - and you can mount it towards the top middle of the dob and it won't interfere with the finder.

Hi brant, i noticed your 300P Dob is GO TO, are you able to target/control in manually also? I'm thinking of the GO TO option now as a fail safe really if I end up getting frustrated, or there is a particularly difficult and faint object I want to find. For all other purposes I want to be able to tour the sky manually and subsequently failiarise myself with it. Does it facilitate both?

[saturn4me]

Get a Telrad finder..

I thought you might say that:D:D

[Telrad]

I thought you might say that:D:D

I'm rather bias, is it obvious?

[saturn4me]

I'm rather bias, is it obvious?

:DJust a tad!!

[brantuk]

Yep - you can still do both and it will track and remember where you are - but with goto you'll never bother with manual - it made me very lazy at least lol

[Omega]

lol yes I imagine the temptation to just hit a button saves a lot of time too. That is a big plus for me I must say, to spend my time viewing rather than searching for an ever elusive target hehe.

[spaceboy]

but with goto you'll never bother with manual - it made me very lazy at least lol

Tell me about it! I didn't realize how lazy I'd become until PSP only having my manual dob to look for stuff. Never did find the blue snowball but the veil more than made up for that