travellingman Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Hi all, I think I am an idiotI bought a stargazer 200mm with HEQ5 mount.I started only tonight, and though the viewfinder much was to be seen. However through the scope it was black.Obviously I have added the lens and removed the dust cover but all is black. Please help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Have you taken the focuser through the full range of travel (all the way in to all the way out)?When you say you have removed the dust cover, have you removed the whole 8" cap, or just the small 2" cap on it?(Sorry if that sounds REALLY stupid, but it has been known to happen ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Smith Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Is the finder aligned with the main scope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travellingman Posted December 29, 2011 Author Share Posted December 29, 2011 I haven't properly aligned the finderscope yet but I should still have seen something.Where is the small dust cap, Ionly removed the 8" dust capmany thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capricorn Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 If you can see the milky way point the scope at that, it's big.If the milky way is too dim, light pollution, then point it at Casseiopia.Then put in an eyepice of long focal length and start playing with the focuser - move it slowly.Take some care pointing it at Casseiopia as the field of view is actually quite small on a scope.Hopefully at some position lots of stars will appear.Do a rough polar alignment of the mount first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parus major Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 My guess is you still had the cap on the eyepiece on the bottom. If you can look into the focuser ("eyepiece hole") and see a bit of your own face on the smaller mirror then it should work.As covers and caps go, there's a massive on on the front, one on the focuser and two on either end of the eyepiece.You should also have two mirrors in the tube.Try shining a torch or a phone in front of it and looking in the eyepiece, if you see light then it's all good.My trick on aligning the finder to the telescope in the dark is to remove the front cap and the eyepiece and pick some thing bright like Jupiter, remove the clutches on the mount and use the hinges on the tuberings as an aiming device. Once you're in the ballpark, look into the focuser minus eyepiece and wiggle it around. as soon as you see a flash of light get the clutches on and get the highest mm eyepiece you have and put it in and focus and center it. Then center the finder. Works on streetlights as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcnewforest Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Which is exactly what I did last night ! Very embarrassing but the instructions that come with the Sky-Watcher 1145 are rubbish for a newbie like me ( that's my defence and I'm sticking to it ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker1947 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Welcome to SGL, you will be sorted quite soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi and welcome to the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Welcome to SGL. Probably one of the best things to do first is use you scope to view something in the distance during the day - like a distant tree/buidling/hill etc (NOT THE SUN!). This way you'll figure out how it all works - for example if you're trying to look at a tree and it's all black then there's probably something in the way. It'll also get you used to the focus travel and allow you to line up the finderscope. Obviously once you use it at night the focus will be a bit different. I hope that helps! good luck you've got a great setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meeesterjoe Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Welcome along from a fellow Newbie..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Which is exactly what I did last night ! Very embarrassing but the instructions that come with the Sky-Watcher 1145 are rubbish for a newbie like me ( that's my defence and I'm sticking to it )ignorance is bliss ahahahahhah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi, welcome to SGL The best thing to do with any new equipment is to set it all up during the daytime and play with it until you are familiar with how everything works. It's much easier than trying to do it in the dark! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hello Travellingman and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaMike Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi Travellingman,Hopefully you've sorted out your problem by now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pessoa Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi and welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian123 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi and welcome, as mentioned, set the scope up in daylight to figure it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn4me Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi and welcome to SGL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi and welcome to the forumClear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro Imp Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi and welcome to the lounge.Don't worry we all started out knowing nothing (not much better now ) With all the good folk here to help you'll soon get sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hi Travellingman and welcome to SGL John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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